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!!

 

Where Secrets Sleep by Marta Perry - Review of the first book in the Watcher in the Dark series

 

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IN AMISH COUNTRY, NOT EVERYTHING IS AS SIMPLE AS IT APPEARS

After a terrible betrayal, Allison Standish flees Philadelphia for the small Amish village of Laurel Ridge to claim an unexpected inheritance. Allison intends to sell the mansion housing various shops on Main Street---until she meets Nick Whiting, a single father and tenant of Blackburn House, who challenges everything she believes about her estranged grandmother and the Amish community.

Strange stipulations in her grandmother's will soon bring distant relatives and seething townsfolk to Allison's door. As anonymous threats escalate, Nick grows protective of Allison, and she finds herself falling for the handsome carpenter... But then she discovers her grandmother's death may not have been accidental, and someone wants Allison gone. Permanently.

MY  REVIEW

Marta Perry pulls you into this book thinking its about getting away from one devastating situation into another, she had not seen or heard from her grandmother since she doesn't remember ever hearing from or seeing. Then all of a sudden there's more to add to the story.  You will want to keep reading to see if things are as they appear.

Okay, I'm on to book number two, "When Secrets Strike"!

The Courageous Brides collection by Johnnie Alexander, Michelle Griep, Eileen Key, Debby Lee, Rose Allen McCauley, Donita Kathleen Paul, Jennifer Uhlarik, Jenness Walker and Renee Yancy - Review

 

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Love Ignited by Acts of Bravery and Kindness

Ride into adventurous situations alongside nine determined women of yesteryear who are pulled into wartime battles, cattle drives, race relations, criminal activity, the Pony Express, the Underground Railroad, and accidents. Compelled by compassion and bravery, these women take action beyond expectations, attracting the attention of eligible bachelors.

The Healing Promise by Johnnie Alexander

The Doctor's Woman by Michelle Griep

An Everlasting Promise by Eileen Key

Love on the Run by Debby Lee

Hidden Courage by Rose Allen McCauley

The Encumbered Bride by Donita Kathleen Paul

Mountain Echoes by Jennifer Uhlarik

Letters from Lucy by Jenness Walker

The Battlefield Bride by Renee Yancy

But when confronted with life-threatening dangers, will the sparks of romance be doused or will the bonds of love only grow?

MY  REVIEW

These collections books may be short stories but they are well-written and I love them as there are a variety of places, times and events. This is a great way to find new authors you may want to follow too. 

Amish Protector by Marta Perry - Review of the second book in the River Haven series

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In River Haven, a mysterious visitor brings two lonely hearts together...

Joanna Kohler treasures the independence her Amish quilt shop provides. She rarely leans on others, yet finding an injured woman on her property makes her grateful for the store owner next door, Noah Troyer. Calm and unflappable, Noah offers support. He also points out the strong resemblance between Joanna and the unconscious stranger...

Noah may admire Joanna, but the bishop's daughter is out of reach. Though he's made a good life, Noah still feels shadowed by the shame his father brought on the community. But it's his duty to aid his lovely neighbor, especially when danger draws close. As he and Joanna unearth answers about her past, Noah will have to confront his own if he's to have a chance at building a future with the woman he'll love forever.

MY  REVIEW

OH MY GOODNESS! The things this attacker does to an innocent woman, but is it the right woman, and why? You will not be able to put this book down! Yes, yet another must read from Marta Perry. I am anxiously waiting for the third book, "Amish Secrets" to come out next month.