Her Only Wish

 

Do you have a bucket list?  Betsy had a must do list.  She was determined to fulfill her list.  Number one on her list was to learn how to play golf. This might sound easy but nothing is really easy for Betsy.

Betsy met August at the golf course. There was an attraction right away. They both had misunderstandings with their parents.  Could Betsy and August come to terms with their parents' expectations?

This lovely story shows how strangers can have a major impact on your life.  Betsy came to Florida as a stranger but gained an extended family.  

I enjoyed the book.  Her Only Wish was touching.  

I received this book from Revell Reads to review.

AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray writes Amish romances for Harper Collins inspirational line, Avon Inspire and historical romances for Zondervan as Shelley Gray. Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelleys novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

To date, Shelleys novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Time Magazine, and USA Today. Shes also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelors degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her masters degrees in educational administration. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two college students, and is an active member of her church. Shelley is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Managing Millie

 

The conclusion to this wonderful series did not disappoint.  Millie was hard to manage but she was wise beyond her years.  She knew what she wanted and it was Troy.

It is hard to fathom how life was like then.  Susan Pope Sloan did a fantastic job describing the chaos and pain that so many suffered from during this period of time.

A great story that kept me entertained to the very last page.  I highly recommend reading all three books of this series.

Susan Pope Sloan

 

Susan is a Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, writer and speaker. She calls herself a history junkie, grammar umpire, critical reader, and sporadic singer. Although retired, Susan stays busy with her local Toastmasters clubs and Word Weavers Columbus. Her writing includes non-fiction, children’s stories, and historical fiction. Susan hopes her writing will engage and inspire others to live well.

After retiring from a career in technical writing, Susan turned to Christian fiction to combine her love of history and language. She and her husband live in Georgia. Her current project is a historical novel series, but she enjoys writing children’s stories for her grandchildren.

The Unwanted Amish Twin

 

Emma and Isobel were twins that were separated when they were only a few days old.  They lived so very different lives.  Emma was Amish and Isobel was an Englisher.  

One morning Emma answered the door and standing in front of her was her twin.  At that moment, their lives changed forever.

I did not expect the book to end the way it did.  I was surprised.  I won't give it away. But hold on to your chair!!

I enjoy reading Samantha Price' books.  This was a stand alone book.  I liked this one but there were times where I wanted to shake the daylights out of...I promised I won't give away the story.

I received to ebook from the author herself, Samantha Price.  Thank you.

Samantha Price is a USA Today bestselling author of Amish romance books and cozy mysteries. She was raised Brethren and has a deep affinity for the Amish way of life, which she has explored extensively with over a decade of research.

All her books are clean and wholesome reads. 

Samantha is mother to two pampered rescue cats, and a very spoiled staffy with separation issues.

One Pan Wonders Cookbook

 

I'm not a cook.  I will admit that.  But Wanda's cookbooks are wonderful and the recipes are easy to make.  

I just made Amish Beef Stroganoff.  It was delicious.  My husband loved it and it was not that difficult to make.  That's a big win.  I will make this again.

What a great gift for a bridal shower gift.

https://www.amazon.com/Brunstetters-Friends-One-Pan-Wonders-Cookbook/dp/1636095259/ref=asc_df_1636095259/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598358766416&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12424533336196822677&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016850&hvtargid=pla-1821683917386&psc=1

Revell- In the Shadow of the River

Jacie was born with a secret.  This secret altered not only her life but for so many others.  She was unsure of her past.  She found it confusing to look to the future.

Jacie was known as Princess on the showboat.  They became her family.  Gabe was just like an older brother.  But as she got older she was beginning to feel different. Each one had a talent that made the showboat so successful. It was vaudeville on a ship.

It was an interesting story.  I never read anything like this before. They all looked at the showboat as their home.  

I received this from Revell to review.  

ABOUT AUTHOR

Ann H. Gabhart grew up on a farm in Kentucky. By the time she was ten years old she knew she wanted to be a writer. She's published twenty novels in several different genres and one non-fiction biography/memoir. She and her husband, Darrell have three children and nine grandchildren. She still lives on a farm and keeps on writing. Her Shaker books have been popular with readers and are set in a Shaker Village in the 1800's. The Outsider was a Christian Fiction Book Award Finalist in 2009. She's also written a series of books about a preacher and his daughter in small town America (the fictional town of Hollyhill, KY) set in the 1960's.

Karen Witemeyer- Fairest of Heart

Penelope, scantily clothed, found herself tied to a tree in the middle of the woods.  She was losing hope.  Her future didn't look so bright.

But strange things happen.  Once rescued, her life changed.  She was adopted by a group of older men that lived together.  Each man had a story to tell and something to overcome in their own lives.  They weren't judgmental or cynical even though they easily could be.  

The wonderful characters that lived at the Diamond D Ranch were a joy to get to know! I couldn't pick out a favorite one. Penelope and her new "grandfathers" developed such a warm and loving relationship. Family is not always blood related.

I really enjoyed the book.  I liked the relationships between the characters.  There was such warmth, respect and comfort that they gave each other. 

I received this ebook from the author to review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Romance Author in 2019 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

The Secret to Happiness

Callie was dedicated to make her dream come true.  She made personal sacrifices to be a success. But it all came to an end.  What will she do now?  Who was she? 

I worked 28 years as a professional.  I saw co-workers and supervisors who sacrificed their personal lives due to their occupation.  They didn't use their vacation time and even lost their accrued time due to not taking it.  I saw marriages fail.  And even drug addictions.   I also saw how quickly they replaced a worker with another after an unexpected death. What did they give up to achieve success in the workplace? Where they happy?

Callie needed an escape. She was finding it difficult to cope. How lucky for her that she ran into her favorite aunt at a ice cream making course. 

Callie was at a crossroad.   Fortunately for her, she had family to support and care for her wellbeing.  Her cousin referred her to a Saturday morning group called The Secret of Happiness.  

Is there a secret?  Can we achieve happiness in just a few steps?  

This is Book 2 of the Cape Cod Creamers Series.  I have read both and loved them.  An enjoyable story with believable characters.

I received this book to review from Revell.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.

Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

 

Hard Times on Weaver Street

I felt I was welcomed home to Weaver Street when I had the privilege to read the next chapter of these wonderful neighbors.  New neighbors were introduced. Would they fit in?  Will Weaver Street change?

I loved that the neighborhood was one of different cultures and economic status.  They pulled together and survived the bad times.  They came together to celebrate the good times. It was lovely to see how they united.  You don't see that in today's world.

My favorite character was Kitty.  She had such high hopes for her future.  She arrived on Weaver Street as a young bride and developed into one of the strongest on the street.

I really enjoy period pieces.  This was a page turner.  

@BoldwoodBooks

@ RachelRandomReads

@rarareads

@ChrissieWalsh

Hard Times on Weaver Street

When the Great Depression hits Liverpool hard, can Weaver Street's close knit community keep each other safe?

As Liverpool and its residents begin to heal from the wounds and memories of World War I, life on Weaver Street in 1924 is blessedly peaceful. 

At number eleven, widow Kitty Conlon is dreaming about her upcoming wedding to John, while at number nine her best friend Maggie is cursing her bad luck as she juggles the demands of her cantankerous mother, stroppy daughter and fly-by-night beau. At number fifteen, Mavis has a mysterious new lodger, while further along the street the O Malley family are missing their beloved Ireland.

But as the Depression begins to bite, and the arrival of the Muller family on Weaver Street signals the worrying drumbeats of conflict coming from Germany, the fragile happiness and peace Liverpool has been enjoying looks destined to end. And as the neighbours pull together in the toughest of times, the women on Weaver Street face the prospect of waving their menfolk off to war.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/hardtimessocial

Author Bio –

Chrissie Walsh was born and raised in West Yorkshire and is a retired schoolteacher with a passion for history. She has written several successful sagas documenting feisty women in challenging times for Aria. Welcome to Weaver Street, the first title in her new WW1 saga series for Boldwood.

Social Media Links –

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063501278251

Twitter https://twitter.com/WalshChrissie

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chrissie-walsh

The Orchard

Another touching read by Beverly Lewis.  She has a way with words.  Her books about the Amish shows her love for the people she writes about.  

Ellie and her brother learn valuable lessons in this story.  Unfortunately, we have to realize that everyone has free will.  We sometimes can see the error of their ways.  But lecturing to them won't change their mind. We have to sit back and let them make the mistakes. My mother warned me not to marry my 1st husband.  I knew what was best.  NOT!!

In this case, Ellie's brother, Evan, won't file as a conscientious objecter. He could as he was Amish.  But he was determined to serve his country.  He paid a major sacrifice but gained much from this situation.

Have you ever had to go through something that was difficult or emotional?  Did you learn anything about yourself?  

I suggest you pick this up.  A great story.  An example of a family's love for each other.

ABout the Author:

Beverly Lewis was born in Pennsylvania Amish country and was both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician before becoming an award-winning, bestselling author. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado.

Shameful Secrets on Coronation Close

The neighbors on Coronation Close were an interesting bunch.  But they all had their secrets.  

Sad, that by keeping secrets they couldn't get the help they could have benefitted from.  

Thelma found herself in a predicament.  But she carried on with her secret.

Harriet aka Harry kept his secret out of fear.

Jenny didn't let anyone know why her husband wasn't home and why she didn't care he was away.

I love reading historical books based in England.  This was an enjoyable read.

LIZZIE LANE:

Lizzie Lane has published over fifty novels, most of which have been sagas which have made it into the top thirty bestselling paperbacks on a number of occasions. has published over fifty novels, most of which have been sagas which have made it into the top thirty bestselling paperbacks on a number of occasions.

A one time live aboard sailor, she's now a landlubber living in Somerset still avidly writing, but also between times seeking out bargains in charity shops, redecorating and redesigning rooms, drinking too much wine and indulging in home cooked food. Apart from that she's perfectly normal.

Must Love Flowers

Grief: deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement

There is no way around it.  We all at one time or another will experience grief.  How we handle grief is the difference.
Joan lost her husband unexpectedly 4 years ago.  This loss was more than she could handle.  Covid hit and she was even more isolated.  
What happened to Joan to make a change in her life after 4 years?  Joan made one step towards healing (or at least movement in a different direction) that started to change her life in a more positive way.
Debbie Macomber touches on a very sensitive subject.  I know of friends and family who wallowed in their grief.  I also know of others who used their grief, their experiences, to help others. 
Joan found she wasn't alone.  And with this knowledge she made the changes to continue on.
I enjoyed the book.  The characters could be any one of us.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Macomber, the author of It’s Better This Way, A Walk Along the Beach, Window on the Bay, Cottage by the Sea, Any Dream Will Do, If Not for You, and the Rose Harbor Inn series, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Thirteen of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber’s Cedar Cove books. She is, as well, the author of the cookbook Debbie Macomber’s Table. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.