Behind The Scenes by Jen Turano

At first glance, the cover made me think of Debbie Reynolds and the wonderful characters she played in the movies.

Permilia was considered a wallflower.  I beg to differ.  She just didn't fit in with the society crowd.  She was told she was a wallflower and she believed it.  BEHIND THE SCENES she was bright, funny, inquisitive and very talented.  She was loving and thoughtful.

Her stepmother continuously told her that she was odd and ackward. I

 Permilia was true to herself and Asher Rutherford was very interested.

This book has it all- romance, mystery, and humor.  I loved it.

The Farmer's Market Mishap by Wanda Brunstetter

I anticipated that I would love this book so I saved it for my vacation.  I read this while we drove home.  I guess you could say I devoured this book as the scenery flew by my window.

Elma was on her own after her sister married.  She was trying to keep her shop going, taking care of her home and being there for her pregnant sister.  At times, she felt overwhelmed and so lonely.  Was she destined to be a spinster?  She adopted a cat and a stray dog but she wanted so much more.

At times, Elma was so envious of her sister.   Elma prayed often and knew that GOD would bring her the answers.  She needed to be patient.

I loved that Elma didn't settle for second best. She could have.  Her sister tried to play matchmaker.  Elma stood firm.  Then a mishap happened at the farmer's market that changed her life.....was she willing to take a risk?

I loved this story.  It is so refreshing to read about families who love each other and will do what it takes to take care of them.  This story shows that at times we must make sacrifices for ones we love and that dreams can come true.

I always finish Ms. Brunstetter's books wanting more.  Thank you for giving me so much enjoyment especially today as I travelling down a boring highway.

The Ebb Ride by Beverly Lewis

This touching story is about Sallie, an Amish girl, who wants to travel the world beyond her Amish community.  Her family have been waiting patiently for her to join the Church but Sallie has other plans.

As you turn page after page, you are Sallie's growth.  She is a dutiful daughter but she comes to the realization of who GOD wants her to be.  It's not an easy decision.I

The Ebb Ride is the period between high and low tide.  After Sallie visited the ocean I see her right in the middle of the ebb tide.  She is trying to make the right decision.  With prayer and much needed time, the decision was very clear to her.

I loved this book.  I was quite surprised by the ending.  Thank you, Beverly Lewis.  Delightful journey to Cape May.

Trusting Grace by Maggie Brendan

I completed this book in just a couple of days-eager for Grace to find love and happiness!  Grace Bidwell is a woman of kindness, integrity and tenderness.  She is dedicated to get father and her friends.  Life hasn't worked out as she planned and she feels that her chance for happiness has slipped by.

But.... Robert Frazier comes to town looking for job.  He is employed by Grace but he found much more.

I cheered when the bad guy was defeated and was delighted when Grace and Robert discovered that life doesn't always turn out the way you planned.

Trusting Grace was a wonderful book to escape in.....trust me.....you'll love it!!

FOR LOVE AND HONOR BY JODY HEDLUND

There hasn't been one Jody Hedlund's book that I haven't loved.  She never disappoints.   I never would have known this was a juvenile book without checking first.   

This book centers around Bennet and Sabine.  They each have a cross to bear.  Bennet needs to save his ancestral home and belongings.  Sabine has a secret that she cannot share with anyone.

With a little scheming, Bennet and Sabine are brought together. I enjoyed their banter back and forth and was surprised in the twist of the story at the end.

Sabine was caged like a bird.  In order to be set free, she had to be open and allow herself to trust in the Lord that all will be ok.

Bennet learned that belongings and treasures really didn't make you rich.  His relationship with his loved ones was what mattered.

Great story for a senior like me as well as the audience it was written for.  

Once again, Ms. Hedlund entertained me with her excellent writing skills.

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves fairy-tales and happily-ever-afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five teen-aged children. When she’s not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

Giveaway:  https://promosimple.com/ps/b6fc

A Spring of Weddings

A short and sweet collection of unexpected love:  One story is of a soon to be daughter-in-law and her fiance's mother and the other is about a couple doing a favor for their friends.
June is usually the time for weddings but in this collection Spring is the time for love.  I loved both stories and quickly Was involved in the storyline.  

 A Proxy Wedding - Carly wasn't too thrilled to go on a car trip with a stranger.  But this car trip changed her life.

Hope Beyond Savannah-  Lily adored her fiance.  But his mother was hard to get a long with.  Will the marriage be called off?  I loved that this story involved a family from Samoa.  

Great read for the Spring..the time for renewal....where things come to life again.  Enjoyed every moment.  I will recommend this collection...



GIVEAWAY:
 https://promosimple.com/ps/b614

About the Authors

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.

Melissa Wardwell was born and raised in a small mid-Michigan community living there still with her Husband and three children. She enjoys taking pictures, reading, and leisurely rides with her husband on their motorcycle. All her stories revolve around women who are mothers. Single mothers, widowed mothers, young mothers, married mothers, and even women who have a mother’s heart but no children of her own.

Her hope is that each story touches your heart, gives you hope, or just gives you a moment away from the chaos of life.

Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson

Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson

When is the next book coming out?  I will be first in line for that one.  This story swept me up on the very first page.  Grace thought of others more than for herself.  She made decisions based on her head than her heart.  She paid the consequences for sacrificing her happiness.

Grace and her sisters were traveling West for a new life.  They got more than they bargained for.

The definition of GRACE in the dictionary is "do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one's presence."  This describes Grace perfectly.  She was a joy to know - a sister I would have Treasured to have.

 Five stars.  Loved it!

Witch by Denise Weimer

Witch

Whew!  It was wonderful!  Great story.  A meaningful message.

This book is the third of the series called Restoration.  I am so happy that I read book one and two.  It gave me the opportunity to see Jennifer and Michael's growth as they were fully restored.  They both carried such a heavy load and this created difficulty for their relationship to develop.

GOD brought the two together.  He knew their hurts and struggles.  But GOD had a plan for them. GOD is a waster of nothing.  GOD knew it was a matter of time that when they turned to him that all of their pain, sorrow and loss would vanish.

GOD is the RESTORER.  He has the power to cleanse our souls when we give our lives to him.  GOD is there to pick us up when we fall, to hold us when we are hurt  and to strengthen us when we are weak.

GOD was there for Jennifer.  She only had to open her heart to his WORD and she was on the path to recovery.  It took Michael a little more time but when they embraced the love of GOD, healing took place and their love could flourish.

I loved this book as well as the whole series.  It was thought provoking and made me want to move to that community

On a sidenote, my stepdaughter graduated in April 2016 with her Master's in Historic Preservation.  My interest to read this was peaked when I saw that it was based on Jennifer restoring historic properties.

Lovely book.  Five stars.
Giveaway:
https://promosimple.com/ps/b57b

About the Author

DENISE WEIMER holds a journalism degree with a minor in history from Asbury University. A former magazine writer, she is the author of romantic novella REDEEMING GRACE, The Georgia Gold Series (SAUTEE SHADOWS, THE GRAY DIVIDE, THE CRIMSON BLOOM, and BRIGHT AS GOLD – winner of the 2015 John Esten Cooke Award for outstanding Southern literature) and The Restoration Trilogy (WHITE, WIDOW and WITCH). Denise is a wife and swim mom of two daughters who always pauses for old houses, coffee and chocolate!

Let Love Spring

Hope, prayer and renewal is the theme of this collection of stories called Let Love Spring.  Each story demonstrates that prayer and faith in GOD can create miracles in your life.

AN ANGEL FOR THE COWBOY BY JODIE WOLFE

Essie lost hope and was desparate.  Little did she know that GOD sent her a cowboy.  Was he The answer to her advertisement?

Judah was hurt and injured.  Was Essie his Angel?

SPRING RECAPTURED
 BY SANDY FAYE MAUCK

Andi had secrets.  She was afraid that they would be revealed.  She needed to come home to her Aunt but it put her at risk.  Ren lost hope and became bitter when Andi left town with no explanation.

GOD had a plan for Andi and Ren.

A LOVE NOT FORGOTTEN
BY LINDA SHENTON MATCHETT

Chaz had no memories of his life before.  Allison had faith and believed that their love could be renewed.

A Bible verse came to me while reading this collection.

John 4:13-14

Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

 Spring is a time of new life.  Renewal.  

I loved the collection by three authors I have never heard before.  Great job and a wonderful start to my Spring reading.

Giveaway-https://promosimple.com/ps/b55e

About the Authors

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests and is a member of ACFW. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.

Sandy Faye Mauck writes character driven historical fiction with a romantic heart and a sprinkle of humor. God’s truth is woven throughout her stories bringing hope and new life. She and her writer husband live in their own happily ever after on the Pacific Coast that holds their hearts.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda Shenton Matchett has lived in historical places most of her life-from Edison, New Jersey (named for the famed light bulb inventor) and Washington, DC to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (reputed to be the oldest summer resort in America). A freelance writer for over ten years, her articles and devotionals have appeared in numerous print and online publications. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. She lives in NH with her husband, Wes and her fur-baby, Ben. Visit her at http://www.lindashentonmatchett.com./

Is she dead?

STILL LIFE BY DANI PETTREY

What an ending!  I never would have guessed the outcome.  I was totally surprised.  This genre isn't one I normally pick up.  I was ready for a change as I seem to read the same type of book over and over.

Avery has a lot on her shoulders.  She carries the shame of her past.  She also feels responsible for her friend, Skylar.

It was enjoyable and so suspenseful.  I quickly turned page after page until the ending.

Will Avery learn to forgive herself?

Will Parker allow himself to love again?

Will Skylar be found?

Who is responsible?

Dani Pettrey has all the answers.  I loved the suspense and enjoyed this book.

This is one book that makes you eager for the ending so the mystery is wrapped up but sad when it was over.

Great book!

Amanda Cabot's A STOLEN HEART

A Stolen Heart by Amanda Cabot

Can a heart be stolen?  Is it possible?  Lydia and Travis both carried broken hearts.   They spent years guarding theirs.  They were afraid to be hurt and to hurt others.

Travis never planned to give his heart to anyone.  That is, until Lydia stepped off the coach into Cimarron Creek, Texas.  Lydia went looking for her fiancee but found so much more than that.

Lydia was welcomed to Cimarron Creek with warmth and kindness.  She quickly realized she found a home.  But she had one strike against her, she was a Northener.

This was a delightful story.  I loved the characters and the town.  I am excited to see that this is the start of a new series called Cimarron Creek Trilogy.  I am ready to see what is in store for the residents of this wonderful town.