With Winter's First Frost by Kelly Irvin - Review of the fourth book in an Every Amish Season series

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With the coldest season comes the warmest of second chances.

At age seventy-three, Laura Kauffman knows she is closer to the end of life than the beginning. If God willed it, she would join her beloved late husband soon. Even so, Laura wonders what purpose God might have for her in this winter of her life--and why this season seems so lonely.

Widower Zechariah Stutzman is facing his own barren season, despite the great-grandchildren swirling around him. With his Parkinson's worsening, he had no choice but to move in with his grandson's family, though now he feels adrift and useless.

When Laura offers to help with Zechariah's five great-grandchildren after their mother has a difficult childbirth, Zechariah is unsure how he will adjust to the warm but tart demeanor of this woman he has known since grade school. But soon Laura and Zechariah learn they are asking God the same questions about loss and hope. And they begin to wonder if He is providing answers after all.

With Winter's First Frost reminds us that God's purposes always bear fruit--and sometimes love is sweeter with age.

MY  REVIEW

As with all of Kelly's books I did enjoy it, I thought it was a little slower story than most, although that could have just been me and my health at the time. I still rate this highly as there is a good story here about how you deal with getting older and health problems that may affect you and your friends along with facing difficult family situations.

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.

Seasons of an Amish Garden by Amy Clipston - Review. all four stories in the series are in this book

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ENJOY A YEAR OF BEAUTIFUL SEASONS IN THIS NEW STORY

COLLECTION, AS YOUNG AMISH COUPLES MANAGE A COMMUNITY

GARDEN AND HARVEST FRIENDSHIPS AND LOVE ALONG THE WAY.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

As the young people of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, plant a garden in memory of their friend, Katie Ann begins to worry that her older brother, Ephraim, is dating her best friend. What if she somehow loses them both? But Christian, a new boy in the community, also works in the garden. Falling for him may be exactly the distraction, and lesson, that Katie Ann needs.

HOME BY SUMMER

Clara Hertzler is surprised when Jerry Petersheim, her old friend, comes to the garden to drop off his younger sister--especially because Jerry has been gone for years and now seems to be living as an Englisher. As the friends get to know each other again, Clara pushes Jerry to examine why he abandoned his Amish beliefs. Will Clara help Jerry renew his faith in God, and will they find love beneath the summer sun?

THE FRUITS OF FALL

Tena Speicher has come to live in Bird-in-Hand after her fiance left her for an English woman. When a homeless veteran comes to the harvest stand one day and asks for food, Tena is not sure how to respond--but Wayne intervenes and offers to let him stay in the barn. Afraid to trust Englishers, Tena must learn, with Wayne's help, that everyone is a child of God and deserving of kindness.

WINTER BLESSINGS

Ephraim and Mandy have dated for some time and now have plans to marry. But after a series of unexpected events and misunderstandings, they wonder if they should go their separate ways. What will happen when their friends at the Amish garden conspire to bring them back together?

MY  REVIEW

Some great short stories with a lot of lessons to be learned. Amy does a great job of taking you through the lives of these Amish young people and the struggles they are going through in their personal lives as they are doing so much to help others.

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.

Together Forever by Jody Hedlund - Review of the second book in the Orphan Train series

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Will the Mistakes of Their Past

Cost Them a Chance at Love?

Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she'll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won't go away--and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden.

As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . .until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change on of their lives forever.

MY  REVIEW

Love this series, of course I really enjoy every one of Jody's books that I've read. This is a very touching series and tells the heartstrings that are pulled on a caring person having to let children go to homes that they know nothing about when they have become attached. In a way this same thing happens today, not by train, but having to find homes for children whose parents can not care for them be it for health reasons, lack of a job and not able to care for them, neglect, abuse, drugs or any other number of things if this world. Put yourself in Marianne's position and think about how you would handle what life has dealt you.

The Teacher's Bride by Kathleen Fuller - Review of the first book in the Amish Brides of Birch Creek series

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If there is one thing Christian Ropp will not allow in his classroom---or his life---it is chaos. So why is he drawn to Ruby Glick, a woman who seems to bring mayhem wherever she goes?

Christian Ropp moves to Birch Creek to accept a teaching position in the rapidly growing Amish community. He's determined to put the rambunctious school in order as well as check another task off his list:  find a wife. Of course, that would be much easier if women were like textbooks, straightforward and logical.

When an accident puts Christian out of commission, a new community member named Ruby Glick takes over his classroom. But Ruby's exuberant teaching style clashes with Christian's careful methods, and he worries his students will never be the same.

With a track record of catastrophe, Ruby always feels too clumsy, too distracted, too . . .much. Desperate for a chance to prove that she can do more than make mistakes in her life, she throws herself into her new teaching position. But when Christian can't seem to stay out of her way, she finds herself slipping into old, chaotic tendencies.

What she doesn't anticipate is that Christian's heart is slowly catching up with his mind---and she, too, must decide whether to follow logic or love.

MY  REVIEW

I have read many of Kathleen's books and enjoyed every one of them. When I finish one I'm always anxious to move on to the next in the series, as I am with this one and I see it won't be out until JUNE!!! This was another great story and so many more I can see coming from Birch Creek. Grab a copy and 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.

Amish Christmas Emergency by Dana R Lynn - Review of the fifth book in the Amish Country Justice series

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There's nowhere to hide from a deadly stalker ...

Can Amish Country Justice save her?

The peaceful Amish community seems like the perfect refuge for nurse Alexa Grant--until her stalker returns. And when menacing gifts and threats turn into attempts on her life, she knows she'll never be safe without the help of police officer Gavin Jackson. Yet Gavin's growing closeness to Alexa enrages the stalker, who is determined to cancel Christmas for them...permanently.

MY  REVIEW

I hope this is not the final book in the series, but I have looked and don't see anymore coming in the near future. At one point I could not read fast enough! I have loved this series since the first book, such suspense and action, then you add the faith, caring and love, there you have it. Really good writing by Dana, she keeps you wanting more!

Amish Country Ambush by Dana R Lynn - Review of the fourth book in the Amish Country Justice series

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After police dispatcher Elise St. Clair's home is invaded by her murderous brother-in-law, her nephew is hidden in Amish Country by her cleaning lady. Now relying on police officer Ryan Parker is Elise's only hope of reuniting with the child...and evading the killer. And Elise and Ryan quickly discover their temporary partnership has long-term potential--if they can stay alive.

MY  REVIEW

How would you handle it if you were working as a 9-1-1 operator and the call came in from your house stating that your babysitter is dead and there is still someone in the house? I don't think I would do very well, Elise has lived through a lot and it has just gotten worse. A lot of action and suspense, just how many people do want her dead? Yep, you better grab your copy. This is a series that I think you could read out of order and it wouldn't ruin the prior books, just little hints here and there of the previous books. A good book, a good series!

Amish Refuge by Debby Giusti - Review of the first book in the Amish Protectors series

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HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Miriam Miller barely escapes the ruthless attacker that killed her mother and kidnapped her sister. Running deeper into the woods, she's running out of hope...until she falls into the arms of an unlikely bodyguard--a peaceful Amish farmer. Something about Abram Zook inspires her trust, but even in bucolic Willkommen, Georgia, Miriam faces danger. Both from the men pursuing her and from her growing feelings for the caring--though guarded--widower who protects her. Because if she falls for Abram she'll have to embrace his Amish faith as her own--or lose him. With each minute, her abductor creeps closer, pushing Miriam to an inevitable choice; stay and risk her heart...or leave and risk her life.

MY  REVIEW

A woman with a mind of her own and the stubbornness to do what she thinks best regardless of what she's told. BUT, is it in her best interest not to listen?!?!?!?! An engaging story that will keep you reading until the end. I really enjoy Debby's books and this is one of the reasons why.