by admin | Sep 22, 2015 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Florida, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I always enjoy books by Shelley Shepard Gray. She has a unique way of making her characters come to life that makes them seem like old friends. “A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn” is a continuation of Gray’s Amish Brides of Pinecraft series that is set in Florida. The third book in the series, it can easily stand on its own although there is a thread that runs throughout the series that centers on the inn.
This particular volume contains, not one, not even two, but three romance stories and the reader might be surprised by which couple marries first. Although the story features Emma and Jay primarily, their children, the innkeeper, and her niece also play pivotal roles. An then there is Frankie, a pizza-loving beagle who gets into enough mischief to keep everyone laughing. Overall, “A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn” is a sweet and romantic novel that is good for a quiet evening’s entertainment.
I loved how the Amish of Pinecraft seem to be much more laid back than those who live elsewhere. I could easily visualize the bright colored dresses paired with flipflops and the casual outdoors lifestyle shared by the community. I recommend this book to all who enjoy Amish fiction and to those who might enjoy just a little change of pace.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A wedding brings together two young widowed parents . . . and gives them a second chance at love.
Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband, Sanford, passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. Though several years have passed, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty—a handsome widower with three young sons of his own—Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. Still, she is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship—and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband’s memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?
Emma’s gentleness with Jay’s boys stirs something in his heart that’s been quiet for far too long. But when his oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son’s joy, Jay wonders if it’s time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.
Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
When widow Emma’s family opposes her new friendship with widower Jay, she begins to wonder if she’ll be alone forever. Don’t miss Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book, A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn, in the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series! A wedding brings together two young widowed parents, and once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?
Enter to win a copy of A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced October 1 on Shelley’s blog!
by admin | Sep 15, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I have read and enjoyed several of Erin Healy’s novels in the past. Her stories often take an entirely different direction from what is usually the norm but that is part of what makes them so interesting. I will admit that at first I had a difficult time getting into “Hiding Places” and actually put it down for awhile and returned to it after reading something a bit more frivolous. Once I understood the pertinent facts, I suddenly found that I was quickly reaching the end. When it grabbed my attention it didn’t let go.
The main protagonist of the story is eleven-year-old Kate Whitby who has free range of the family hotel where she occupies herself by spying on everyone, especially her obviously dysfunctional family members. The historic buildings of the hotel each have hiding places that were designed for safety when they were built during World War 2. Kate is familiar with most of the hiding spots which play an important role in the drama and danger that develops when several gang members converge on the hotel in search of the man they believe killed the son of their leader.
The story is told through several points of view which makes it both interesting yet sometimes confusing. There were times I wanted to sit Kate down and have a long talk with her about how inappropriate her behavior was, especially her tendency to hide things. The truth was, she saw life through the innocent eyes of a child and her somewhat skewed desire to help others.
Although the tale is pretty suspenseful, it is relieved by occasional humorous moments – usually involving Kate or her great-grandmother. I liked how Kate’s family finally woke up and realized how much they cared for each other when faced with the possible loss of their loved ones. Overall, “Hiding Places” was a satisfying read and a reminder of the importance of family.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Family means safety. Family means protection. Until it doesn’t.
Eleven-year-old Kate Whitby leads an invisible life, the youngest member of her odd family. They live in their historic small-town hotel, where she is an expert at keeping everyone’s secrets: her sister’s a thief, her great-grandmother isn’t as crazy as people think, her mother lives in the past, and her beloved grandfather might have killed his best friend.
Devoted to the people she loves-more than they have ever been to her-Kate vows to protect each one. Charlie Fuse has lived on the streets since his alcoholic father threw him out. When Charlie’s powerful street family tests his loyalty by demanding that he kill the son of a rival gang leader, he refuses. They frame him for the murder, forcing Charlie to run.
When Kate finds Charlie injured and penniless, she hides him from his enemies and her uncharitable relatives, unaware that he has a connection to her family as old as the hotel itself.
The murderous gang tracks Charlie down. To flush him out, they take the clueless family hostage and threaten young Kate. Even then, Kate keeps Charlie hidden, putting all her childlike faith in one terrible hope: that the family who has never been able to protect her before might learn how to do it now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Erin Healy is the bestselling coauthor of Burn and Kiss (with Ted Dekker) and an award-winning editor for many bestselling authors. She is a member of ACFW and Academy of Christian Editors. Her novels include such thrilling stories as Never Let You Go, The Baker’s Wife, Stranger Things, and Motherless. She and her family live in Colorado.
Facebook: erinhealybooks
Twitter: @erinhealybooks
by admin | Sep 15, 2015 | Amish, Books
MY REVIEW:
Just when I had begun to think that every Amish novel was a repeat of the same basic theme, Cindy Woodsmall brings a fresh approach to the genre. “Ties That Bind” has a little romance, more than a little angst, the return of an old love interest, and a family mystery that dominates the story.
Although this book does not contain much action and it may move along at a more sedate pace than many, I found that it held my interest quite well. I liked reading both sides of the story involving the man who assists Amish who want to leave the order. Instead of painting him as a bad person, the author allowed her readers to understand why he chose to do what he did. Without demonizing or idealizing the Amish, she offered a realistic view of their strict belief system and how it affects those who are part of their community.
As the first book of the series, “Ties That Bind” leaves the reader with several questions unanswered. Despite the way it ended, I personally remain hopeful that Ariana and Quill will eventually find their way back to each other. I am also anticipating learning more about what will happen with Skylar. So, yes, I definitely plan to read the other books in this series. I can’t just leave Summer Grove without having my curiosity satisfied.
This book was provided for review by Blogging For Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Ariana’s comfortable Old Order Amish world is about to unravel. Will holding tightly to the cords of family keep them together—or simply tear them apart?
Twenty-year-old Ariana Brenneman loves her family and the Old Ways. She has two aspirations: open a café in historic Summer Grove to help support her family’s ever-expanding brood and to keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach.
Five years ago Quill, along with her dear friend Frieda, ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal. When she unexpectedly encounters him, she soon realizes he has plans to help someone else she loves leave the Amish.
*
Despite how things look, Quill’s goal has always been to protect Ariana from anything that may hurt her, including the reasons he left. After returning to Summer Grove on another matter, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of. His love and loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust and help her find a way to buy the café—because when she learns the truth that connects her and a stranger named Skylar Nash, Quill knows it may upend her life forever.
Ties That Bind is the first novel in the Amish of Summer Grove series.
Click here to download an excerpt from Ties That Bind.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media. She lives in the Foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her family.
by admin | Sep 11, 2015 | Books, Fantasy
MY REVIEW:
“The Traitor’s Heir” is one of those good versus evil novels with a somewhat medieval setting. Supernatural events, both good and evil, are scattered throughout the narrative and at times the same character is able to operate in either aspect of power. The book is a lengthy one that weighs in at 544 pages.
I didn’t particularly like the hero Eamon Goodman. For most of the story, he seemed to be pretty wishy-washy and had difficulty remaining loyal to his friends. Of course, that was partially due to the author’s intent to illustrate the strong spiritual battle Eamon was in. The fact that Eamon tended to make the choices that were easiest for him was probably pretty true to the choices most of us also make in our daily lives. Hopefully we can learn from our mistakes as Eamon eventually managed to do.
Although “The Traitor’s Heir” is published by a Christian publisher and its overall theme would fall into that genre, readers need to be aware that there is some language and lifestyle choices that many Christians might find objectionable. Overall the book was fairly enjoyable although I would have preferred a hero who was a bit less wimpy and showed a bit more integrity and backbone.
This book was provided for review by the Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Every man has a destiny. His is to betray.
Like many from his village, young Eamon Goodman dreamed of joining the Gauntlet, the army of the overlord Eldered. Now he is about to complete his training and swear his loyalty to Eldered and his commanders, the Hands, who uphold Eldered s tight control of the land.
Entering into the service of the Gauntlet, Eamon s gifts, particularly his potent Sight, quickly become valuable to his superiors and he advances to the command rank at a speed that arouses the suspicions of fellow officers.
However, Eldered’s bloody rule, and Eamon s personal friendships, start to challenge the young soldier s assumptions about what might be true, and worthy of service. And soon Eamon must conceal a fatal secret: he is sworn to both Eldered and to Hughan, the rightful king of the land. Yet he may not forswear the vows he has uttered in all good faith so however he serves, his name will be traitor.
As tensions and military skirmishes increase, Eamon finds himself trusted by both his masters. How can he possibly maintain his integrity, act justly to his fellow officers of the Gauntlet, and act on behalf of all the warring people of the land?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Anna Thayer graduated from Cambridge with first class honors in 2005 and, bilingual in English and Italian, went on to teach in Sicily. She now writes and lectures internationally on the works of Tolkien and Lewis, and teaches English at an independent school in southern England.
by admin | Sep 11, 2015 | Books, Historical
MY REVIEW:
“The Memory Weaver” is a historical novel that is a story of trauma, loss, discover, and the journey to healing for several characters within its pages. The heroine, Eliza Spalding Warren not only witnessed the massacre of several people she knew but was also taken hostage by the Indians. After her rescue and the later death of her mother, she experienced nightmares and was not entirely successful in coping with her memories. Her friend Nancy who had also experienced the traumatic event, had her own way of coping. Even Eliza’s husband had some serious problems due to guilt and grief over events in his own past.
“The Memory Weaver” does not move along as quickly and does not include as much dialogue as many novels but it is all the more authentic for that reason. The story moves from Eliza’s point of view to excerpts from her mother’s diaries. I particularly liked the way one point of view transitioned smoothly by the use of similar themes. For instance if one point of view ended with rain, the next one would begin with a reference to rain.
This novel shows how often our memories may not be accurate but can be influenced by so many things such as our maturity, hearing others’ stories about the same event, and even the passage of time. An emotional story of hope and healing, “The Memory Weaver” illustrates the restoration of relationships as each person comes to grips with the past. It is a faith-based story that is well worth the time it takes to read.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Eliza Spalding Warren was just a child when she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now a mother of two, Eliza faces a new kind of dislocation; her impulsive husband wants to make a new start in another territory, which will mean leaving her beloved home and her mother’s grave–and returning to the land of her captivity.
Haunted by memories and hounded by struggle, Eliza longs to know how her mother dealt with the trauma of their ordeal. As she searches the pages of her mother’s diary, Eliza is stunned to find that her own recollections tell only part of the story.
Based on true events, The Memory Weaver is New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick’s latest literary journey into the past, where threads of western landscapes, family, and faith weave a tapestry of hope inside every pioneering woman’s heart. Get swept up in this emotional story of the memories that entangle us and the healing that awaits us when we bravely unravel the threads of the past.
Read an excerpt from The Memory Weaver.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been finalists for the Christy Award, Spur Award, Oregon Book Award, and Reader’s Choice awards, and have won the WILLA Literary Award and Carol Award for Historical Fiction. Many of her titles have been Book of the Month and Literary Guild selections. You can also read her work in more than fifty publications, including Decision, Private Pilot, and Daily Guideposts. Jane lives in Central Oregon with her husband, Jerry. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.
by admin | Sep 6, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this riveting tale set in the small Ozark mountain town of Mammoth. I loved reading about small-town life alongside the river where everyone knew everyone else and they all seemed to congregate in the local restaurant run by twins Lilah and Eden Dale.
Not-yet-divorced Lilah has come home after a disastrous marriage to help Eden with the family restaurant and their rapidly failing grandfather. A new pastor has just arrived in town and Lilah finds herself attracted to him despite her best efforts to avoid him. She is definitely not pastor’s wife material. There are secrets in the twin’s history that even they do not know but you can bet we will all know them before this book is done. New pastor Jake has a few secrets of his own.
“Mammoth Secrets” is a wonderful tale of family, friends, and love. It is also a story of redemption and finding one’s way again. Ashely Elizabeth Ludwig is a new author to me but I plan to see if I can find more of her books.
This book was provided for review by the Pelican Book Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Mammoth’s new pastor is starting over. Using the pseudonym, Jake Gibb, he plans on staying far from his infamous father’s shadow.
When Jake meets the misunderstood Lilah Dale–a woman in the midst of a divorce and with nothing to hide thanks to the local prayer chain–he is convicted in the choice he’s made to hide his true identity.
With mutual deceptions marring their future, Jake and Lilah must form a careful relationship, and together learn that only the truth can set you free.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ashley Ludwig is an Arizona native, though she has been transplanted to her new home in Southern California wine country. She lives with her husband, their two daughters and dog.
She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, with a degree in Anthropology, and a minor in History. Ashley worked for several years as an Archaeologist across the American southwest. She has turned her passion for research and attention to historical detail to her true love, writing inspirational, historical romances.
