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Showing posts from March, 2018

"An Amish Christmas Love" Book Review

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An Amish Christmas Love by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, & Kelly Irvin Book Description: Winter Kisses   by Beth Wiseman Three generations of Stoltzfus women are all living under the same roof. At twenty-five, Naomi has never been married, and both her mother, Barbara, and her grandmother, Ruth, have recently been widowed. Each nursing broken or lonely hearts, they also each have potential suitors. When a storm on Christmas Eve forces the three couples to take shelter in the basement of the Stotlzfus homestead, secrets are revealed, hearts are opened, and all three potential grooms drop to their knees for very different reasons a proposal, a prayer, and an epiphany. The Christm as Cat   by Amy Clipston Emma Bontrager is spending her first Christmas alone after her husband of 45 years, Henry, passed away in July. Although the Amish don't normally allow animals in their homes, a big, fat, orange barn cat keeps coming into Emma's house. She shoos the cat away,

"When the Bishop Needs an Alibi" Book Review

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When the Bishop Needs an Alibi (The Amish Bishop Mysteries #2)  by Vannetta Chapman Book Description: A Terrible Secret Hides in the Bulrushes Amish bishop Henry Lapp eagerly awaits the annual arrival of 20,000 sandhill cranes to the San Luis Valley of Colorado. But his visit to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge reveals more than just a miracle of God's creation. Hidden among the bulrushes and cattails is the deceased body of a young woman. As the local authorities attempt to unravel the mystery, Henry feels God's calling to use his extraordinary talent to aid in the investigation. His ability to draw from memory in photographic detail could help solve this puzzling case. Henry's closest friend, Emma Fisher, has always urged him to embrace his gift. As their relationship deepens, Henry realizes his involvement could put him and those he loves in the direct path of a killer, one who is willing to do anything to cover up a brutal crime, including framing the bis

"Chasing Eva" Book Review

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Chasing Eva (In Light of Shadows #1) by Camellia Hart Book Description: An addictive, suspenseful & sensual story about a man and a woman whose lives are about to get sizzling hot... After living through her share of disloyal relationships, Evangeline Avery will be damned if she lets another man cheat her. A beautiful and confident woman, Eva is the owner of an interior design firm at the brink of collapse. She swears to bring her company back to its past glory, even if it involves sweet talking the one man who caused this turmoil in the first place - Clive Stanton. Notorious playboy Clive Stanton is a powerful businessman and a formidable enemy of many. He doesn’t do love, or at least not until he meets her again, fifteen years after he saw her last. Eva, his crush from teenage years, the one that got away, is back in his world and he is determined to do anything to make her his. Will passion and lust bring them together or conflict and the unforgettable scars from th

"The Amish Witness" Book Review

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The Amish Witness by Diane Burke Book Description: SHATTERED AMISH SANCTUARY  After witnessing the murder of her best friend, Elizabeth Lapp flees to the Amish community she left years ago, hoping the killer won't find her. But the murderer follows Elizabeth, trapping her in her family's barn, and she's sure she won't survive—until an Amish man rushes to save her. As the attacker runs off, Elizabeth sees her rescuer is none other than Thomas King, the handsome farmer she left behind with her dreams and her heart. Now widowed with two small children, Thomas vows to keep her safe…despite not being ready to forgive her. And suddenly, the man whose love she longs for—but can't allow herself to accept—is all that's standing between her and a cold-blooded killer. My Book Review:     I've been reading Amish works of fiction for many, many years now and my favorite ones combine a bit of romance with suspense.   This one does a beautiful job of combining the tw

"The Blessing--Amish Cooking Class" Book Review

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The Blessing--Amish Cooking Class #2 by Wanda E. Brunstetter Book Description: Return to the Troyer farm where, despite stressful changes occurring in their lives, Joel and Heidi once again open their Ohio home up to those seeking to learn about Amish cooking. This time a teenager helping her divorced dad cook for the family, a caterer needing new recipes, a food critic, a hunter looking to impress his buddies, a wife given the class as an unwanted gift, and a mailman lured in by the aroma of good cooking gather around Heidi's table. More than good food is exchanged, though, as friendships form, a romance blossoms, and hearts are healed. My Book Review:  There's a reason why Wanda Brunstetter is one of my all-time favorite Amish authors and this book is once again a favorite book.  Heidi continues to teach her cooking class as a way to heal herself, after her husband suggests it might give her peace.  The class helps the participants as much as it helps her.           

"Amish Cooking Class--the Celebration" Book Review

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The Celebration (Amish Cooking Class #3) by Wanda Brunstetter Book description: Return to Holmes County, Ohio, for Amish style cooking class.   Lyle and Heidi Troyer have taken in a brother and sister, who were orphaned when their parents were killed in a car accident. Hoping to help the children adapt and make friends, Heidi decides to hold a series of cooking classes for kids. But kids are always accompanied by an adult—and that is where the trouble arises. Miranda Cooper is living the life of a single mom to her two kids while separated from her husband, but Trent is trying to worm his way back into her heart. Denise McGuire’s life as a wife, mom, and real estate broker is full and spilling over. Darren Keller, single dad and firefighter, and Ellen Blackburn, single mom and nurse, find a few things in common. Will hearts be healed over plates of Amish food? This is the third book in The Amish Cooking Class series. Book #1:  The Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers

"Love's Betrayal" Book Review

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" Love's Betrayal by Diann Mills  & bonus story by Jill Stengl Book Description: Meet Delight Butler of Boston 1776, who is a passionate defender of the American patriots. When redcoats bring an injured Henry O’Neil to the Butler home for care and lodging, Delight despises the man. Despite having long discussions and coming to admire the man, Delight struggles to trust that he could desert the British army and join the patriot cause. What will it take to bolster her faith in God and man? Also includes a bonus historical romance,  Faithful Traitor  by Jill Stengl. My Book Review:  I love, love, love reading historical fiction and Diann Mills has certainly fulfilled my expectations.   The colonial period is also one of my favorite time periods.  Women were often treated as property and were expected to remain pure.  When Delight meets the wounded soldier, Henry, there are sparks, but not the loving kind.  Will the hate change to love or will the two remain at odds? 

"The Rails to Love Romance Collection" Book Review

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The Rails to Love Romance  Collection:  9 Historical Love Stories  Set Along the  Transcontinental Railroad by   Amanda Cabot ,  Diana Lesire Brandmeyer ,  Ramona K. Cecil ,  Lynn A. Coleman ,  Kim Vogel Sawyer ,   Connie Stevens ,   Liz Tolsma ,   Susanne Dietze ,   Lisa Cox Carter Book Description: Outlaws on the Pueblo excursion / Diana Lesire Brandmeyer  The depot bride / Amanda Cabot  Last stop, Cordelia / Lisa Carter  Train to Eden / Ramona K. Cecil  Love on the rails / Lynn A. Coleman  The honeymoon express / Susanne Dietze  Just for Lucy / Kim Vogel Sawyer  My soul waits / Connie Stevens  World's greatest love / Liz Tolsma Journey the Transcontinental Railroad along with nine unlikely couples who encounter all the dangers and disappointments of traveling the rails in the late 1800s. From sight-seeing excursions to transports toward new lives, from orphan trains to circus trains, can romances develop into blazing love in a world of cold, hard steel?