Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Amish Mishaps and Murder

 


Two sisters, who are so adorable, grace the pages of this cute book by Samantha Price.  I just loved Ettie and Elsa-May.  They are Amish sisters who solve mysteries and crimes in their small community.  

This is Book # 25.  I am new to this series.  This can be a stand alone book but it would have been handy if I had read an earlier book.  

I was surprised how involved they got in the investigation.  Detective Kelly was so patient and kind to them.  He constantly warned them to stay out of the investigation.  Be safe.  But he also seemed to encourage them as they did supply him with numerous clues.

I enjoyed the book and the characters.  The sisters were adorable.  Their love for each other shone through.  How lucky that they had each other!  Snowy the dog and the sweet kitten were lucky, too!

I received this ARC copy of this  book to review from the author, Samantha Price.




ABOUT SAMANTHA PRICE

USA Today Bestselling author of Christian & Amish fiction, Samantha Price wrote stories from a young age, but it wasn’t until later in life that she took up writing full time. Formally an artist, she exchanged her paintbrush for the computer and, many best-selling book series later, has never looked back.
Samantha is happiest on her computer lost in the world of her characters.

Samantha is best known for the Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries series and the Expectant Amish Widows series.

Monday, March 28, 2022

His Amish Sweetheart




I just finished this delightful book by Jennifer Beckstrand.  I knew I was in for a treat.  And I was!!!!   Cinnamon Rolls, Gingerbread cookies and BM cookies!  Bm cookies, you say.  What is that?  Open this book and have a taste of what Ms. Beckstrand has to offer.

I have read all the books in this series.  The twins, Benji and Alfi , are devious but so very cute.  

A cute story that entertains you to the last page.  I was sorry to end the book but I stayed up to 2 am to finish it.  With all that is going on in the world, this was a great escape.  

I don't want to give away much but Austin and Hannah have been friends forever.  Can anything or anyone change that?


Jennifer Beckstrand is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, The Honeybee Sisters series, The Petersheim Brothers series, and The Amish Quiltmaker series for Kensington Books. Two of Jennifer’s books were nominated for the RWA RITA® Award, and she is a #1 Amazon bestselling author. Jennifer has written twenty-eight Amish romances and the nonfiction book, Big Ideas. She has also written two Western historical and two contemporary romances as Jen Spencer. She and her husband have been married for thirty-seven years, and she has six children and eight adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

http://www.jenniferbeckstrand.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbeckstrandfans

Instagram: j.beckstrand


The Catch


 An exciting story!   Madison needs to find her husband's killer.  She can't move on unless he is caught.  Jonas will do what it takes to protect Madison.  

This is an action packed book that kept me guessing.  I loved the interaction between all the characters.  Jonas works with some fantastic co-workers.  They are there for each other.

I am a retired probation officer.  I love books that involve courtrooms, lawyers police and the chase for the "bad guys".  This one delivered. 

This is Book Three of a the US Marshall series.  I highly recommend them all.

I received this ebook from Revell to review.

About the author:

Lisa Harris and her husband, Scott, along with their three children, live in Mozambique as missionaries. Lisa is a multi-published, award-winning author who has been writing both fiction and nonfiction for the Christian market since 2000.

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Love's Fortress

I was first interested about this book due to the cover and the location.  I love St. Augustine and have visited the fort before.   So it made it easier to be part of the story as I could visually see the location.

The author wrote the book in two timelines.  I appreciated how she introduced the chapter so you knew when you were in the past or current time.  I was more of a fan of the 1800 storyline.  The story of Sally Jo and Broken Bow.

Dani Sago was ashamed of her past and was disappointed by her father.  Sally Jo was also very disappointed by her father's actions.  Could they get over their disappointment and move on?  

I was surprised at the ending.  Author Jennifer Uhlarik did a great job tying the  timelines together.

I received this ebook for free to review from Celebrate Lit.

About the Book

Book: Love’s Fortress

Author: Jennifer Uhlarik

Genre: Christian Fiction / Historical fiction / Romance

Release date: March, 2022

9781636091815 (2)Upon receiving word that her long-estranged father has passed away, Dani Sango inherits the former art forger’s entire estate. Among his many pieces of artwork are a series of obviously Native American drawings and paintings, which lead her to research St. Augustine of 1875. White Elk is transported to Florida to join other Cheyenne braves already being held in Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris is at the fort teaching the Indians. When a friendship develops between them and false accusations fly, it could cost them their lives. Can Dani discover how their story ends and how it shaped her own father’s life?

 

About the Author

JenniferUhlarikJennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a preteen, when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a BA in writing, she has won five writing competitions and was a finalist in two others. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and is a lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, teenage son, and four fur children.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 26

Remembrancy, March 26

The Christian Fiction Girl, March 27

Texas Book-aholic, March 27

Inklings and notions, March 28

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 28

Bigreadersite, March 29

For Him and My Family, March 29

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 30

Betti Mace, March 30

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 31

deb’s Book Review, April 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 1

Older & Smarter?, April 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 3

Life of Literature, April 3

Genesis 5020, April 4

For the Love of Literature, April 4

Connie’s History Classroom, April 5

Blossoms and Blessings, April 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 6 (Spotlight)

Splashes of Joy, April 6

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, April 7

Through the Fire Blogs, April 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 8

Pause for Tales, April 9

Labor Not in Vain, April 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1c10d/love-s-fortress-celebration-tour-giveaway



Monday, March 14, 2022

Looking for Leroy

This is not my first book by Melody Carlson.  I purposely picked this book because I really enjoyed the others. I am glad I did.  
It was an entertaining book that had some great characters.  Brynna was the main character.  She was a teacher who was just trying to get over a bad divorce. 
Jan, an acquaintance from the school Brynna works, talked her into taking a camping trip through the Sonoma Wine Country.  Brynna was not particularly close to Jan before this adventure.  But with Jan's encouragement, Brynna was on the road to discovery.  She never imagined that she would be working at a vineyard owned by someone in her past.  Is this a coincidence or did GOD have a plan?
Have you ever wondered what happened to an earlier love?  Did you have a chance to reconnect?  Brynna and Leroy are given a rare opportunity to rewrite their futures.
I received this book from Revell to review.

Author Bio

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 200 books with sales of more than 7 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice, and her novel All Summer Long was made into a Hallmark movie. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

Friday, March 11, 2022

The Spark of Love




Alexandra knew she had to run to escape from Franklin's demands.  The obvious choice was to run to the man she thought she could trust: her father.

Alexandra was raised to follow directions.  Be a lady.  But in order to survive she had to be brave and do the unimaginable.

Alexandra not only found herself on this journey.  She found love.  She found her family.

I received this ebook from Revell to review.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.





Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of Out of the Embers and Dreams Rekindled, as well as the Cimarron Creek Trilogy and the Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers' Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at www.amandacabot.com.

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Malicious Intent

 


Ivy just barely survived a difficult childhood. She attempted to put her heartache behind her. Ivy could never forget Gil.  He was always there.  She never expected to see him again after all these years.

What an exciting storyline!  Ivy was extremely lucky to have Gil and his friends to protect her and keep her safe.  She sure needed them.  But she was one tough lady herself!

I really enjoyed the book.  It was fast paced and never dull.  The characters showed vulnerability as well as their strengths.  I got lost in the story.  

I received this ebook to review from Revell.  


Lynn H. Blackburn

Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat and the Dive Team Investigations series. She believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. Blackburn is passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don't make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Learn more at LynnHBlackburn.com.

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Night Songs

 Night Songs Epic Book Launch


About the Book

Book: Night Songs

Author: Jennifer Sienes

Genre: Women’s Christian Fiction/ Romance

Release date: April 12, 2022

What’s a girl to do when her life sounds ripped from the lyrics of a country music song?

Charlotte Van Cleave’s hissy-fit reaction to her husband’s infidelity sours her world like a pot of boiled chitlins. She’s left with no husband, no job, and no home—well, besides the dilapidated farmhouse inherited from her nana.

But Charlie learned early that southern girls dig deep when things go sideways. She’d climbed out of the mire when her missionary parents were killed in Congo, endured two late-term miscarriages, and survived the death of her nana and papaw. Too poor to paint and too proud to whitewash, Charlie follows a new path with her interior design skills.

Derek Daniels spent his life serving his country until a helicopter accident ended his military career. Now back home on the family farm, he’s stuck between his philandering brother, Nicky, and the only girl he’s ever loved—sweet Charlie Van Cleave. Unwilling to cross a line, he vows to keep his feelings to himself. Easier said than done when Charlie discovers a mystery surrounding her parents’ death and asks him to help investigate.

What’ll Charlie and Derek have to do to turn those lyrics into a country hit?


BOOK EXCERPT

I mean, a dog didn’t generally wag its tail if it had nefarious intentions, did it? Still, when it plopped on its hindquarters in front of me and gave me a pitiful gaze, I wasn’t moved. 

“Go home.” I waved a hand in the general direction of anywhere but here, hoping he knew where home was. “Go on, now.” As if it could be that easy.

Ignore him. The more attention he got, the longer he’d hang about. I continued down the path, patchy grass tickling my bare ankles, and pulled the key from the front pocket of my jean shorts. My heart about thumped out of my chest when something thicker than cudweed brushed my bare leg, and I jumped aside to find the dog only inches from me. Well, heck. He’d get the message sooner or later—or die from starvation and thirst. Despite myself, I sighed. Even in my pathetic state, I wasn’t cold-hearted enough to let that happen.

“Let’s see if we can find you some water.” We moved up the steps in tandem as if we’d been doing it forever. I laid a hand against the royal-blue double doors, faded with time and years of early morning sun.


 EXCERPTS













ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education, but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing—and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies including several in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.


Counting Miracles

Nicholas Sparks never lets you down.  He always delivers a book that you will enjoy.  This is no exception.   I loved the story and the char...