Book: More Than Words Can Say

I have a new book to share with you today from one of my very favorite authors of historical fiction, Karen Witemeyer.  This is the second book in the Patchwork Family series.  If you are not familiar with this author and her books I hope you will check them out.

About the book:

After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free to live life on his own terms. No family entanglements. No opportunities to disappoint those he cares about. Just the quiet bachelor existence he's always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away once again when the baker of his favorite breakfast treat is railroaded by the city council. As hard as he tries to avoid getting involved, he can't turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . or her adorable dimples.

Abigail Kemp needs a man's name on her bakery's deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. Not the stoic lumberman who oozes confidence without saying a word whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can't even control her pulse when around him.

When vows are spoken, Abigail's troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. As trust grows between Zach and Abby, she finds she wants more than his rescue. She wants his heart.

My thoughts:

Another fabulous book by Karen Witemeyer!  Zach and Abby have such an interesting relationship. They married and then went through a period of courtship.  It was sweet to see their relationship grow through the book.   It is clear they love each other even when they aren't sure. 

One of Abigail's struggles is that she doubts that her husband would find her attractive because she does not feel she has a perfect figure.  She considers her sister the "pretty one." I really liked this quote from the book and had to share it.   I recently had a similar conversation with my husband so this really spoke to me to read it in the book.

I thought parts of the book were predictable but there were several "surprises" as well. There was quite a bit of focus on the physical aspects and attraction in marriage but was all in a tasteful manner.  

And one more quote:  

I reviewed the first book in the Patchwork Family series More Than Meets the Eye here.  

Visit the author's website here and check out her other wonderful books.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
    Bethany

Book: Whose Waves These Are

My thoughts:
I recently finished reading Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes.  I had seen this book mentioned online as a new release and the description sounded interesting.  I cannot say how much I loved this book!  The characters drew me in and the setting made me want to plan a trip to Maine.  This is a beautiful story. 

I wasn't sure if I would like the book when I started reading but I quickly fell in love with the story.  The more I read the more I loved it.  I liked how it jumped to different time periods.  This made it more interesting to me.  I felt the author did a great job tying together the characters and their pain.

I look forward to reading more books from this author, and I hope they are as beautiful as this book. I requested this one from my library.  

About the book:
In the wake of WWII, a grieving fisherman submits a poem to a local newspaper: a rallying cry for hope, purpose . . . and rocks. Send me a rock for the person you lost, and I will build something life-giving. When the poem spreads farther than he ever intended, Robert Bliss's humble words change the tide of a nation. Boxes of rocks inundate the tiny, coastal Maine town, and he sets his calloused hands to work, but the building halts when tragedy strikes.

Decades later, Annie Bliss is summoned back to Ansel-by-the-Sea when she learns her Great-Uncle Robert, the man who became her refuge during the hardest summer of her youth, is now the one in need of help. What she didn't anticipate was finding a wall of heavy boxes hiding in his home. Long-ago memories of stone ruins on a nearby island trigger her curiosity, igniting a fire in her anthropologist soul to uncover answers.

She joins forces with the handsome and mysterious harbor postman, and all her hopes of mending the decades-old chasm in her family seem to point back to the ruins. But with Robert failing fast, her search for answers battles against time, a foe as relentless as the ever-crashing waves upon the sea.  



Have a day of blessings! 
    Bethany

Book: More Than Meets The Eye

One of my favorite authors of historical fiction, Karen Witemeyer, has a new book in a new series.  It is More Than Meets the Eye in the Patchwork Family series.  Let me tell you about it today! 

About the book:
Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes--one bright blue, the other dark brown--Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Eva has two--Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers. 

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach's sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

My thoughts:
I have enjoyed the other books by Karen Witemeyer and was excited to start a new series.  Wow I loved this one!  I had read such good reviews of this one before I read it, and it did not disappoint.  Each time I read one of her books I think it may be her best one yet! 

I liked the background of this story and how Eva came to be with her brothers Seth and Zach.  Their bond is very special which I appreciated seeing throughout this story. Another thing I thought was a fun touch to the story is that Eva has a pet pig. 

One thing I would mention is that suicide is referenced in this book.  Logan's father took his own life years prior, and Logan shares about this and how it affects him and his mother.  I thought this might be important to know that it may be a trigger for someone who is dealing with a suicide in their own life. 

If you enjoy historical fiction be sure to check this one out!  I look forward to the next book in this series.  Visit the author's website here.

I received a copy of this book from the Bethany House reviewers program for my honest review.  Thank you. 


Have a day of blessings! 

Bethany

Book: Hearts Entwined

About the book:Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor.

In Karen Witemeyer's "The Love Knot," Claire Nevin gets the surprise of her life awaiting her sister's arrival by train. 

Mary Connealy's "The Tangled Ties That Bind" offers the story of two former best friends who are reunited while escaping a stampede. 

Regina Jennings offers "Bound and Determined," where a most unusual trip across barren Oklahoma plains is filled with adventure, romance, and . . . camels? 

And Melissa Jagears' "Tied and True" entertains with a tale of two hearts from different social classes who become entwined at a cotton thread factory. 

Each tale is a fun blend of history and romance that will delight readers.

My thoughts:
It was fun to read this collection.  Let me share my thoughts on each of these.  Maybe you will find a new author you enjoy. 

"The Love Knot" was a great story.  I believe I have read all of Karen Witemeyer's other books so I was familiar with this setting of Harper's Station and characters.  The main character of this story is Claire.  She has a delivery arrive by train from her sister that surprises her, makes her deal with her past, and changes her life.

"The Tangled Ties That Bind" is by another author with whom I am familiar...Mary Connealy.  I have read several of her books, but it has been a while.  The characters in this book were vaguely familiar to me from those books I'd read. 

"Bound and Determined" was the hardest for me to get into as I was reading this collection.  I don't know if I've read others by Regina Jennings or not.  The camels made it odd at first.  But once I got going it was a cute story.  I really appreciated the lessons learned by the characters in this story as they journeyed together.

"Tied and True" is a great ending to this collection. Marianne and Calvin come from different social classes.  They are in love but one feels they can never be together because of their different social standings.  Can they overcome this?   

I like how these books fit together so well yet are so very different from each other.  The publisher did a great job choosing authors for this novella.  You should read this book if you enjoy historical fiction. 

I received this book from the publisher for my honest review.  Thank you.
Have a day of blessings!
  Bethany

Heart on the Line

Today I have another wonderful read to share with you from Karen Witemeyer.  It is book #2 in the Ladies of Harper's Station series.  

About the book:
Grace Mallory is tired of running, of hiding. But when an old friend sends an after-hours telegraph transmission warning Grace that the man who has hunted her for nearly a year has discovered her location, she fears she has no choice. She can't let the villain she believes responsible for her father's death release his wrath in Harper's Station, the town that has sheltered her and blessed her with the dearest friends she's ever known.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His telegraph companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For months, their friendship--dare he believe, courtship?--has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

My thoughts:
I believe I enjoy each Karen Witemeyer book a little more than the last one!  The characters and story lines are always unique and a little different from your typical historical fiction romance. When you start reading you can sort of guess what will happen but lots of unexpected things are thrown in along the way which make for a great read!  I like the characters of Heart on the Line and how the reader gets to know them.  I appreciate that the hero of the story, Amos, does not fit with the qualities of your stereotypical hero.  I thought the story line having these two "meet" over the telegraph wires was a fun idea and made for a great story.

This was a fairly quick read for me because I wanted to find out what would happen next.  This is a great series, and I highly recommend this book to you if you enjoy historical fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.  Thank you.
Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

No Other Will Do

About the Book:
Men are optional. That's the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts preached and why she started a successful women's colony in Harper's Station, Texas. But when an unknown assailant tries repeatedly to drive them out, Emma admits they might need a man after all. A man who can fight--and she knows just the one.

Malachi Shaw finally earned the respect he craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's plea arrives, he bolts to Harper's Station to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve.

As the danger intensifies, old feelings grow and deepen, but Emma and Mal will need more than love to survive.

My Thoughts:
I always enjoy books by Karen Witemeyer.  The reader gets transported to a different time period in her writings, and she does such a good job of making you feel like you are there and part of the story. I really liked the characters of Emma and Malachi.  I liked their past and the way they've stayed connected through the years and that Emma knew she could count on him to come help when the need arose.

This book has some surprising twists as the trouble and threats at Harper's Station increase. I enjoyed her previous book series and am glad this one will be a series too so I can find out more about the other characters. If you enjoy historical fiction, check out this book (or any by this author)!

Visit Karen Witemeyer's author site here or find her on Facebook.

This book was sent to me for my review from the publisher. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
    Bethany

Live Fearless-- An Adult Coloring Book

Live Fearless is an adult coloring book by Margaret Feinberg.

About the book:

PRAY • CREATE • MEMORIZE • REFLECT • JOURNAL

What if? Life is riddled with uncertainty. Perhaps that's why Jesus is so passionate in His command, "Do not fear." He challenges us to enter uncertainty with faith, the unknown with trust, the uncharted with hope.

Live Fearless provides an opportunity for you to pull away from the hustle and bustle of life to pray, journal, and unleash your creative gifts and rediscover the goodness and faithfulness of God no matter what you're facing.
 · Spend time in prayer, reflecting and growing in your relationship with God
 · Commit Bible passages to memory and deepen your faith
 · Share your fun artistry with others through what you create

Color and doodle and learn to live fearless as you craft God's Word into your heart.

My thoughts:
I have used several other adult coloring books, and I can say his one is very nice and well done. There are a variety of pictures which I like.  I never know which type of picture I'll be in the mood to color so it's nice to have a little variety to choose from! For example, one I like has the verse Psalm 27:13 in the middle and is surrounded by a scene with leaves, a buck and doe at the bottom, and mountains across the top.

The book is encouraging with all the verses. There is also a place for you to write your thoughts about the verse on the page across.

I received this book for my review from Bethany House Publishers.  Thank you.

Find out more about this book by clicking here.

 Have a day of blessings!
 

A Worthy Pursuit

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer.  Her books have all been enjoyable, and this one is such a great read.

About the book:
A teacher on the run. A bounty hunter in pursuit. Can two enemies learn to trust each other before they both lose what they hold most dear?

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts. 

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily's mother she'd keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is she villain or victim? Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he's ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte's heart.

My thoughts:
I loved the characters and story line of A Worthy Pursuit. Charlotte and Stone are both such strong, no nonsense type main characters. Their relationship changes throughout the book as they get to know one another. The children are so unique, and I appreciate the way Charlotte mothers them even though they are not her own. 

I read most of this while feeding my new baby, and it was hard to put the book down!  There was plenty happening to hold the reader's attention.  I liked the ending and would love to see more about these characters. As I finished I thought how this could be a great movie.

Be sure to check out this book. If you like historical fiction, you will love this one!  

This book was provided to me by Bethany House publishers for my review. Thank you.

Learn more at Karen Witemeyer's webpage and find more books to enjoy!

Have a day of blessings!
 

The Love Letters

I have read many books by Beverly Lewis and recently finished another one called The Love Letters.

Marlena is staying with her grandmother during the summer after the death of her grandfather.  She enjoys being with her grandmother but also looks forward to returning home to her family and beau Nat.  Marlena is asked to care for baby Angela Rose, the daughter of her sister Luella (who left the Amish faith) when Luella is in the hospital.  Marlena feels the baby will only be with them a short time.  They have a difficult start together, but Marlena quickly becomes attached to the baby girl.  What will happen to baby Angela Rose when Luella dies and her father is overseas in the war?

Marlena has a lot to deal with internally as she is at her grandmother's home.  She attends a Mennonite church which Marlena attends while she is there.  Her beau who is Old Order Amish, however, does not approve of this.  Marlena feels torn with the new things she is learning and the things she has been taught her entire life.

Another character of this book is a young man nicknamed Small Jay.  He lives near Marlena's grandmother. Small Jay befriends a man he finds living in an old mill. Their friendship is a big part of this book as well.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it to you.

This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. I am appreciative of the extra time they gave me for this review with the recent birth of my son.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Book: More Than Just The Talk

I have finished a book called More Than Just The Talk Becoming Your Kids' Go-To Person About Sex by Jonathan McKee.

About the book:
Have Real Conversations With Your Kids About Sex

The old ways of having the "sex talk" just won't cut it anymore. Sadly, the number one place today's young people go to for answers about sex is Google. Meanwhile, kids view nearly 14,000 sexual references a year on television, and 70 percent of teenagers have encountered pornography on the Internet. If we want our children to know the truth about healthy sexuality, we need to create a comfortable climate of continual conversations.

Jonathan McKee will show you how to move beyond the initial awkwardness of this subject into an ongoing communication with your kids about God's amazing gift of sex. He equips you with what you need to talk openly about dating, temptation, porn, and purity, and you will find answers to tough questions and relevant Scripture on sexual issues.

It's normal for kids to be curious about sexuality, and they need to know that their parents are the most reliable source of information. Be the one your kids turn to on this crucial topic.

My thoughts:
I saw this book available for review and felt it would be an interesting and appropriate read as our son is getting older. I had not read anything previously by this author.  I really enjoyed this book because it was very eye opening to me as a parent.

The main idea of the book as the title suggests is for parents to be the ones their children go to when they have questions about sex.  It may be awkward for parents and children, but if they are talking about it frequently instead of a one time conversation of "don't have sex till you are married" then the children will be more likely to come to you when questions arise.  Sadly, many are finding out information from Google because they don't want to ask their parents.

I was surprised at the statistics shared about sexual activity, pornography usage, etc. about young teens or even those younger ages.  Also surprising to me was the huge influence of the media on our children. I mean I know this is an influence in our culture but to read the examples of song lyrics, videos, etc. was shocking to me.  Children need to know the truth about sex and how it is God's gift, not the perversion seen everywhere around them in society.  Parents need to be the ones to share this truth, and this book is a great resource to help parents do just that.

I highly recommend this book for parents or others who work with young people.  It is a practical, easy to read book full of helpful information.

Click here for more information about this resource.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing a free copy of this book for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Where Trust Lies

Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? I have finished the second book in the Return to the Canadian West series by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan.  I reviewed the first book called Where Courage Calls here.

About the book:
She loves her friends and students in the West, but family obligations have called her home. Where does she truly belong?

After a year of teaching in the Canadian West, Beth Thatcher returns home to her family. She barely has time to settle in before her mother announces plans for a family holiday--a luxurious steamship tour along the eastern coast of Canada and the United States. Hoping to reconnect with her mother and her sisters, Beth agrees to join them, but she quickly realizes that things have changed since she went away, and renewing their close bond is going to be more challenging than she expected.

There's one special thing to look forward to--letters and telephone calls from Jarrick, the Mountie who has stolen her heart. The distance between them is almost too much to bear. But can she give her heart to Jarrick when it will mean saying good-bye to her family once again--and possibly forever? And will she still want to live in the western wilds after the steamship tour opens up a world of people and places she never imagined?

Then comes a great test of Beth's faith. Someone in her family has trusted the wrong person, and suddenly everything Beth knows and loves is toppled. Torn between her family and her dreams, will Beth finally discover where her heart truly belongs?

A companion story to Hallmark Channel's When Calls the Heart TV series!

My thoughts:
I found this book to be much different from the first in the series because now Beth is at home with her family.  She ends up taking a cruise with her mother and sisters.  She is glad for the time to be with them but also misses her time in Coal Valley and wonders if she will be asked to return there to teach again.  

I found the sisters to be very different from one another. They had an interesting relationship in how they interacted with one another, their mother, and others on the ship. 

Beth tries to maintain a relationship with Jarrick who she met in the previous book.  They write letters and talk by phone when they are able, but Beth isn't sure how long this will last.

I enjoyed this book overall. At some points I felt it moved slowly though.  I am not familiar with the areas mentioned so I found it hard to stay focused at certain points.  Some mention is made to Coal Valley and the people there; it is clear Beth wants to return and experiences a totally different life there than on the ship with her family.  

You can read more here. This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
  

Becoming Bea

About the book:Beatrice Zook knows God wants her to learn patience toward others. When assisting a family overwhelmed by triplets proves surprisingly successful, her confidence in dealing with others, both young and old, grows. 

One person she'll never be able to find peace with though is Ben Rupp. They've known each other forever, and Ben understands precisely how to antagonize her. What neither she nor Ben will admit is that beneath all their bickering, attraction awaits. When friends decide to try and bring the couple together, will the pair be able to find true love? Or will they damage their relationship beyond repair?

My thoughts:
This is the first book I've read by this author.  It is the fourth in the Courtships of Lancaster County series by Leslie Gould.

In the beginning it was hard for me to get into this book. I think it was a different style of writing from other Amish authors.  For one thing, it is written in first person which I do like and is different from most other books I read.  Once I got into the book though I enjoyed it very much.  I found the title was very fitting for the main character, Bea.  She really changes a lot in this story as she matures and realizes things about herself.  I thought I saw some growth and changes in other characters too, such as Bea's sister Molly.  Ben and Bea have an interesting relationship and that also changes as the book moves along.  

If you are looking for an Amish author, try out this one.  

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book for my honest review.  

Have a day of blessings!
 

The River

I have finished reading Beverly Lewis' book called The River.

My thoughts:
Sisters Tilly and Ruth left the Amish world years ago.  They are notified by a brother of an upcoming anniversary party for their parents and invited to come.  The sisters debate going and having to face their past.  They eventually decide to return together for the celebration.  Their Dad is having heart trouble so they find it a good opportunity to see him again.

Tilly enjoys her life in the modern world with her husband and twins.  She has always had a strained relationship with her father.  She has always felt distant from him and that she never measures up. She fears returning and wonders if the tension in their relationship will always be present.

Ruth is also settled into her life in the modern world with her home, job, and church. She does miss her former beau though and wonders if she will see him when she returns home. This creates mixed emotions for her.

Both sisters are grieved over the loss of their younger sister Anna years before.  The grief over this loss hangs over the entire family and is central to the book.

I enjoyed this book overall.  It seemed slow in some parts, but I thought the story line was enjoyable. I felt sorry for Tilly and her relationship with her Dad.  I never was sure if he understood how much his treatment had hurt her through the years. I appreciated the close sister relationship of Tilly and Ruth, and it seemed they grew closer by returning home together.  They both had to face some hard issues of their pasts, and the trip seems to bring healing.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Child of Mine

I have finished Child of Mine by David and Beverly Lewis.  What a pretty cover to go with such a wonderful book!

About the book:
Flight instructor Jack Livingston has been raising his eight-year-old adopted niece, Natalie, since the accident that took her parents' lives. When he travels, Natalie is tenderly cared for by her Amish nanny, Laura Mast, who loves the little girl as her own.

Eight excruciating years ago, Kelly Maines's baby was kidnapped. Determined to find her child, Kelly has tirelessly pursued every lead to its bitter end. And now, with the clock ticking, one last clue from a private investigator ignites a tiny flame of hope: Just a few miles away lives a young girl who matches the profile.

Can this be, at long last, Kelly's beloved daughter?

My thoughts: 
I was excited to read this book written by Beverly Lewis with her husband David. It was different from other books by Beverly Lewis in that one of the characters was Amish but the other main chargers were not.

Laura is a shunned Amish woman who has been Natalie's nanny, and the two share a special bond. When Natalie's adoptive parents die, Laura continues to be her nanny while Jack (Natalie's uncle) takes guardianship. He adores Nattie and will do anything for her. (Sometimes it seems he takes this to an extreme.). Nattie desires to have a mother and even hints that Jack should marry Laura. Jack's sister San thinks Jack needs to begin dating and offers her suggestions as well.

Kelly Maines enters their lives with many secrets of her own. She quickly falls in love with little Nattie and Jack. She desires to have a family of her own. Can she have that with Jack and Nattie?

Where does this leave Laura?

This is a story if secrets, forgiveness, and healing. The characters are enjoyable. San and Jack have a strained sibling relationship at times. Jack wants to provide all he can for Nattie who has lost so much in her life. You can tell he really cares about her.

This story really had my interest, and I had a hard time putting it down!

Thank you to Bethany House for sending me this book for my review.

Have a day of blessings!

Full Steam Ahead

"God sees things in a scope so broad our narrow-focused minds can't even comprehend."

This quote really made me stop and think as I read Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer.  I have read the other books by this author and was looking forward to this new one. 

My thoughts:
Nicole Renard is on a mission to find an heir for her father that will be able to run the family company, Renard Shipping. The family has possession of a very special dagger. The competitors of the shipping business are doing what they can to get their hands on the dagger. Nicole is out to protect the dagger and find a husband for herself at the same time.

Nicole meets Darius Thorton when she is searching for employment.  She will work temporarily for him as his secretary to earn a little money on her way to find a husband. She appreciates that he accepts her mathematical abilities and the ideas she presents to help him in his experiments and research, but she doesn't understand the man's behavior. 

Both of these characters held my interest, and it was enjoyable to read their story.  One thing in particular I liked was the setting of this book was different from many of the historical fiction books I read.  The information about the shipping industry and the experiments with the boilers was all new to me.  I found this to be a nice change from the other historical fiction I've read.

This is a wonderful book from Bethany House Publishers.  They sent it to me for my honest review.  I hope you will check out this one and all the others by this author!

Have a day of blessings!

Here to Stay

This is the first book I read by Melissa Tagg, and I really enjoyed it. It has been a while since I have read contemporary fiction, and I was reminded how much I enjoyed these type of books. I had not read the previous book in the series, and I really didn't realize there was one before this one. Let me tell you a little bit about the book Here to Stay.  

About the book:
After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally had enough of adventure. Not sure what reception he'll get from everyone back in Whisper Shore, he's stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer. The job is his if he can successfully pull off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events...

If there's one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it's Whisper Shore. For years, she's been stuck running her family's inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has a visit scheduled from a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot.

The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys may not get along, but Blake knows Autumn's the only one who can help him. She agrees to a trade--she'll help with the Festival and he'll help with inn repairs. But what was meant to be a simple deal quickly becomes much more than that when the guy who's done running away joins forces with the girl who can't wait to leave.



My thoughts:
This was such an enjoyable book for me and I read it rather quickly. The characters face inner struggles to which the readers can relate. There is a family relationship struggle between Autumn and her Mom and sister since her Dad died. This struggle is evident through the entire book. Blake is back in town and does not receive a welcome from some in the city; he carries with him guilt over his brother's death. Autumn dreams of living in Paris, and it looks like that dream is about to come true, causing mixed feelings for her as she prepares to leave Whisper Shore.  Blake and Autumn's families have had a disagreement for years and are known for not getting along.

Should Autumn continue with her dream to go to Paris or abandon her dreams for the sake of the Kingsley Inn?

I hope you will check out this author.  I look forward to her next book for sure.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for my review. Thanks!

Have a day of blessings!

The Last Bride

I have read The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis which is the newest book of the Home to Hickory Hollow series.  I have read other books in this series and reviewed them for my blog as well.

Tessie is the main character of this book set in Hickory Hollow.   She is in love with Marcus King but her father is adamant that they not marry.  He will not tell Tessie why he feels this way though and it pains Tessie's heart.  She is sure Marcus is the right one for her and doesn't understand why her father won't approve of their marriage. 

Marcus and Tessie make a decision to secretly marry and decide to keep their secret from the rest of the Amish community.  A few weeks after their marriage a terrible tragedy happens.  Will Tessie be able to keep their secret while she grieves?  What will happen if her father finds out? 

Mandy is Tessie's sister.  She has a strained relationship with her husband and is hurting inside because she is yet to have any children of her own.  Mandy and Tessie have a strained relationship as well, not as close as they once had been which hurts both sisters. 

As in the other books in this series, the Wise Woman Ella Mae is included in this story to share her insight and wisdom with Tessie. 

This is a story of reconciliation and the comfort that can come from God during times of grief and uncertainty. 

I always enjoy reading books by Beverly Lewis and look forward to her next release.      

I received this book as part of the reviewer program for Bethany House Publishers.  Thank you for the book. 

Have a day of blessings!

Wildwood Creek

I finally finished reading Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate. I've read several books by this author and have enjoyed her writing style and characters. I found for this one, though, that it took me a while to get into the book, and it seemed to move slowly for me.

I liked the idea of the story and thought the author took an interesting approach to telling two stories in this book.

The first story is set in present day when Allie Kirkland has a summer job on the production crew for a new tv series. She thinks this is a great opportunity in chasing her dream of following in her father's footsteps. Both she and her best friend Kim will be part of the cast/crew and spend the summer on the set of a pioneer community.

The other story is that of Bonnie Rose who was one of the characters being portrayed in the TV series. She has lived a hard life and comes to Wildwood Creek as a school teacher with her little sister. Strange things happen in Wildwood which leads to all sorts of legends about the disappearances and other mysterious events.

Allie feels a connection to the people of Wildwood Creek and feels it is important to honor them by figuring out the mystery of who they were and what happened to them. She feels her role is more important than just a summer job.

I found this book to have some unexpected turns. I must admit I felt confused during some of the book and didn't really like how it ended.  I guess I had questions about some of the characters and never had those resolved in the book.

I received this book as part of the author's influencer program. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Where Courage Calls

I remember years ago when my Meemaw would pass along to me books she had read. Some of those were in a series by Janette Oke. I enjoyed those books and was glad to read and review this new book by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan.

About the book:

Her courage and her heart will be tested in ways she never expected...
Beth Thatcher has spent her entire life in the safe, comfortable world of her family, her friends, and the social outings her father's wealth provides. But Beth is about to leave it all behind to accept a teaching position in the rugged foothills of western Canada. Inspired by her aunt Elizabeth, who went west to teach school several years ago, and gently encouraged by her father, Beth resolves to put her trust in God and bravely face any challenge that comes her way. 

But the conditions in Coal Valley are even worse than she'd feared. A recent mining accident has left the town grieving and at the mercy of the mining company. The children have had very little prior education, and many of the locals don't even speak English. There isn't even a proper schoolhouse. In addition, Beth's heart is torn between two young men--both Mounties, one a lifelong friend and the other a kind, quiet man who comes to her aid more than once.

Despite the many challenges, Beth is determined to make a difference in the rustic frontier town. But when her sister visits from the East, reminding her of all the luxuries she's had to give up, will Beth decide to return to her privileged life as soon as the school year is over?

A special companion story to Hallmark Channel's When Calls the Heart TV series.

My thoughts: 

I really enjoyed Beth's story. I admired her determination in leaving behind her family and her life where she basically wants for nothing to go to the unknown in the mining village of Coal Valley. She works had to form relationships with the people there and to make a difference for the children both educationally and spiritually.   She faces  many challenges along the way that might have scared away another teacher; however, Beth remains committed to her task which is very admirable. 

One character I liked besides Beth was Molly. She runs the place where Beth resides and really takes Beth under her wing as a motherly figure. This is something Beth needs and longs for as she is away from her own family. Molly offers advice to Beth on more than one occasion that I appreciated for my own life.

I thought the setting of this book was interesting as well. Living in the mining village is totally different from Beth's normal surroundings.  Also, I think the cover is such a serene image and makes me want to visit.

I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to you. 

This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishers for my review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!

A Match Made in Texas

If you enjoy historical fiction, I have a fun book to share with you today. It is called A Match made In Texas, and it is a collection of four novellas.

First is "A Cowboy Unmatched" by Karen Witemeyer. Neill Archer is hired by someone whose identity remains a mystery to repair the roof of widow Clara Danvers.  (Neill is one of the Archer brothers that we meet in previous books by this author.)  Clara really doesn't want to accept the help, but with a baby on the way she realizes she does need it.

Next is "An Unforeseen Match" by Regina Jennings.  In this story Clayton Weber ends up at the front door of Grace O'Malley to do some work to earn some money to get to the land rush after his horse dies.  Grace has a home of her own and members of he community bring her meals since she is going blind. As Clayton works on her home, she finds out he has secrets of his own and works to find out the mystery behind this man.

The third novella is called "No Match For Love" by Carol Cox in which Lucy Benson becomes caretaker to the aunt of Andrew Simms. Andrew has concern for his aunt Martha to be alone after some strange things she has told him she has seen on the ranch. Lucy does not know how to care for a home yet Martha begins teaching her, and a friendship is formed. When Lucy sees strange things at the ranch, she realizes Martha isn't crazy and wants to prove that to Andrew.

The final novella of the collection is "Meeting Her Match" by Mary Connealy. Hannah Taylor,  the town teacher, has recently endured many losses. She has been a matchmaker for others through the years, but she has not found love for herself.  She wonders if she will be alone for the rest of her life. She cares for the son of the banker, Marcus Whitfield, but he never speaks to her so she does not think he is interested.

I enjoyed this book, and I found myself not wanting the stories to end!  I felt each one could continue with the storyline into another book. I like that they were set in the same town of Dry Gulch  and had some continuity of characters. The characters of the first three were mentioned in the fourth, and I felt it was a good ending.

This book was provided to me by Bethany House publishers for my honest review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!