by admin | Aug 23, 2016 | Amish, Books, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Amish fiction is not my very favorite genre but I have to say that the Honeybee Sisters and their Aunt B are so entertaining. In the second book of the series “A Bee in Her Bonnet”, sister Poppy Christner takes center stage. Always something of a tomboy, Poppy is not particularly interested in men – except to prove that she doesn’t need their help. Neighbor Luke Bontrager seems to show up at the worst of times – just when Poppy finds herself in need of a hand. Wanting to be a good neighbor, Luke attempts to save Poppy over and over, much to her dismay. After all he is just one of the boys she grew up with who always loved to make fun of her. Luke was not interested in Poppy, he wanted a more feminine girl in his life. So why could he not get Poppy out of his mind?
I thoroughly enjoyed “A Bee in Her Bonnet”. The Christner family is so much fun. I loved the unique names their aunt came up with for each pet in the household. Even the cats had their own personality. An ongoing mystery that began in book one continues through this one but has yet to be resolved. I can guarantee that I will have to read book three in order to find out who is behind the vandalism and threats on the family’s farm. The interaction between characters is excellent and the development of the romance between Poppy and Luke was inspired.
Jennifer Beckstrand has found a new fan with her witty and entertaining novels. I look forward to “Like a Bee to Honey”, the third book of the series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by Amazon Vine.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Their bees produce the most delectable honey in all of Wisconsin. And the three Christner girls are fondly known as The Honeybee Sisters throughout their peaceful Amish community–where their spirited sweetness is attracting any number of hopeful suitors. . .
Lively, determined, and independent, Poppy Christner isn’t about to let some vandal keep making mischief on her family’s farm. She’s been outrunning boys and standing up for picked-on children ever since she was a girl–no matter how much her prideful, arrogant schoolmate Luke Bontrager insulted her. So Poppy certainly doesn’t need his interference now, especially since he’s made it plain he prefers demure, ladylike companions. In fact, if Luke doesn’t stop helping her find the culprit–and growing humble and remorseful–she’ll be forced to notice how handsome his change-of-heart is making him. And that could mean falling in love–maybe for a lifetime…
Purchase a copy of “A Bee in Her Bonnet” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Beckstrand is the bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer was nominated for the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award and the 2015 RITA® Award, and Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for Inspirational fiction. Both Huckleberry Hill and Huckleberry Christmas appeared in Examiner.com list of top ten inspirational books for 2014.
Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a background in editing. She and her husband have been married for thirty years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and four adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.
http://www.jenniferbeckstrand.com/
Save
Save
by admin | Aug 23, 2016 | Appalachia, Books, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I fell in love with the Appalachian Blessings series with its very first introductory novella and have eagerly awaited each subsequent book. I especially liked “Miracle in a Dry Season” but I now believe “A Tapestry of Secrets is my very favorite one.
If asked what makes this series and this book so outstanding to me, I would be hard pressed to come up with a definitive answer. I loved the Appalachian setting, the strong bond between family members and in turn their relationships with their neighbors. The close connection the characters had to their roots and the underlying spiritual thread that ran throughout were also important features.
I loved reading about Perla once again but it was also a bit sad to see her declining health in her old age. I liked Ella’s character and have to admit that I much preferred one of her suitors over the other. I was happy with how things turned out for her and also was impressed with how the author resolved the situation with the other man. Some important lessons and bits of wisdom were scattered though “A Tapestry of Secrets” if one pays even a smidgen of attention.
I know all good things must come to an end and I suspect the Appalachian Blessings series may now be complete. I hate to see it end but anticipate equally great books from Sarah in the future. I can’t wait to see what she has to offer her readers next!
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What is the weight of a secret?
And what happens when that burden becomes almost too much to bear?
For decades, Perla Phillips has hidden the truth of a decision that still fills her with guilt. But now, seeing her granddaughter, Ella, struggle in a similar way, she’s prepared to finally open the past to her family, no matter the consequences. But when the opportunity is snatched from her in a most unexpected manner, will she have waited too long?
Spanning generations, this moving family drama weaves together the interlocking stories of two women as they navigate relationships, family, faith, and the choices that will shape their lives. Heartwarming and nostalgic, the story explores the courage to share the wounds of the past and celebrates the legacy a family passes from one generation to the next.
Read an excerpt from “A Tapestry of Secrets” HERE.
Purchase a copy of “A Tapestry of Secrets” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © Kristen Delliveniri
Sarah Loudin Thomas is a fundraiser for a children’s ministry and has written for Mountain Homes Southern Style and Now & Then magazines, as well as The Asheville Citizen-Times. She is the author of Miracle in a Dry Season and Until the Harvest. She holds a BA in English from Coastal Carolina University. She and her husband reside in North Carolina.
She can be found online at www.sarahloudinthomas.com.
Save
Save
by admin | Aug 23, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
What had seemed to be an idyllic childhood in Nantucket ended with their mother’s death. All grown up, all but one of the children have moved on with their lives away from home and rarely return. The youngest child Lynette seems to be stuck there caring for their home and failing father and suffering from nightmares that hint of something she can’t quite remember about the day her mother died.
“The Things We Knew” is a beautiful yet sometimes difficult to read story about family and friendship that delves into several uncomfortable subjects including addiction, adultery, dementia, abusive relationships, etc. Personal secrets, both past and present threaten to interfere with already tenuous relationships and fear allows them to fester. But God had other plans for the Carlisle family and Nicholas Cooper and little by little as they learned to trust Him and each other, His grace touched each one in just the perfect personal manner .
Reconciliation and redemption abound in this poignant tale that touched me as I read. The romance between Nicholas and Lynette was an added bonus but was not what I considered to be the meat of the story. I enjoyed “The Things We Knew” very much and hope to read more by Catherine West soon.
Copies of this book were provided for review by LitFuse Publicity and The Fiction Guild.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A tragedy from the past resurfaces in this tale of family secrets and reignited love.
After her mother’s death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to harbor animosity toward their father, silently blaming him for their mother’s death. Nobody will talk about that dreadful day, and Lynette can’t remember a bit of it.
But when next-door neighbor Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, he brings the past with him. Once her brother’s best friend and Lynette’s first crush, Nick seems to hiding things from her. Lynette wonders what he knows about the day her mother died and hopes he might help her remember the things she can’t.
But Nick has no intention of telling Lynette the truth. Besides the damage it might cause his own family, he doesn’t want to risk harming the fragile friendship between him and the woman he once thought of as a kid sister.
As their father’s failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets begin to surface—secrets that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. But pulling up anchor on the past propels them into the perfect storm, powerful enough to make them question all they ever believed in.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border collie for long walks on the beach or tending to her roses and orchids. She and her husband have two grown children.
Find out more about Catherine at http://www.catherinejwest.com.
Save
Save
Save
Save
by admin | Aug 18, 2016 | Bibles
The Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible combines two hot trends: Bible journaling and adult coloring. Through unique illustrations included on every page spread, readers, illustrator’s, and notetakers alike learn to engage the biblical text in a new way. The exceptional design offers a unique balance for everyone from seasoned artists to the creatively challenged, allowing for guided creativity and meaningful personalization of the Bible reading experience. From filigree, Scripture quotes, and unique images, these line-drawn illustrations are waiting to be brought to life.
Features include:
- Over 600 images, including text designs, images, and filigree
- Unique illustrations on every page spread
- Open margin space for creating new, personalized images
- Light grey illustrations allowing readers to add color to each image
- Lined margins for note taking
MY REVIEW:
The Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible is another option for the latest Bible trend of journaling, illustrating, and/or coloring in one’s Bible. I received a copy bound in brown bonded leather of the HCSB version. (Holman Christian Standard Bible©). As advertised, I found at least one illustration on each page spread. The outer margins of each page contain either an illustration of some kind or are left blank with faint lines for personal journaling or drawing. Illustrations include Bible verses or themes but many are just images to color. I suppose you could add a verse to those images but I haven’t tried to do so myself. The paper is of high quality – smooth with gilded edges. A ribbon page marker is also included. The Bible is fairly hefty with over 1000 pages that include notes, a concordance and color maps at the end.
I have mixed feelings about this Bible but they are totally personal preference. As an older adult, I find the type to be less than comfortable to read but I also realize that to increase type size would probably make the entire Bible terribly unwieldy. For the same reason, the light grey illustrations are a wonderful idea for those with younger eyes but I have to focus a little harder to see them. Unfortunately I have had to accept that some things do change as one ages. For this reason I would strongly suggest that older buyers or those with poor eyesight look carefully through this Bible before purchasing. For everyone else, this is a very nice Bible that should provide many hours of coloring and journaling pleasure.
A copy of this book was provided for review by the B&H/LifeWay Blogger Team.
Save
by admin | Aug 18, 2016 | Books, Historical, Post Civil War, Romance, Texas
MY REVIEW:
Once again Shelley Shepard Gray has proven her versatility in writing different genres. I first got to know her work through Amish fiction but have since read a number of her novels outside that genre and have been so impressed with her talent.
“The Loyal Heart” is the first book in a new series that promises to be everything I look for in my reading choices. As far as I’m concerned, it was just perfect! I loved the strong characters, especially Robert and Miranda. I also appreciated the basic premise of the story in which several Confederate officers who were prisoners of war made a pact with each other to always be there for each other and their families. In this volume, Robert is called upon to make sure fellow officer Phillip Markham’s widow Miranda is okay. Naturally he finds himself falling in love with her despite how often he tells himself how inappropriate that would be.
I really liked how I was able to see both sides of the story from Robert and Miranda’s viewpoints. The suspense and drama was woven into the plot seamlessly with a few surprises along the way. Faith was also an important factor but it was never intrusive. “The Loyal Heart” held my interest until the very end. I can’t wait for the next installment of this series.
A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Robert came to Galveston to fulfill his promise to a dying man and look after his widow. He didn’t expect to find love in the unlikeliest of places.
Robert Truax, former Second Lieutenant and Confederate officer in the Civil War, made a promise to his comrade Phillip Markham. If anything happened to Phillip, Robert would look after his beloved wife, Miranda. She was his life, his world, his everything.
After the war, Robert is left to pick up the pieces and fulfill his pact. When he arrives at Miranda’s home in Galveston, Texas, things are worse than he imagined. Phillip’s name has been dragged through the mud, everyone in town believes him to be a traitor, and his widow is treated as an outcast. Even more disturbing is her emotional well-being. Miranda seems hopeless, lost, and so very alone.
Robert had thought his duty would be simple. He would help Miranda as quickly as possible in order to honor a promise. But the moment Robert laid eyes on her, his plans changed. He’s mesmerized by her beauty and yearns to help her in any way he can.
He makes it his duty to protect Miranda, turn her reputation around, and to find some way to help her smile again. But it doesn’t prove to be an easy task—Robert knows something about Phillip that could shake Miranda to the core and alter her view of the man she thought she knew so well.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a “New York Times” and “USA Today” bestselling author, 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.
Save
