The Gift of Faith (Unexpected Gifts Book 3) by Kristen McKanagh

Book Details: 

Title: The Gift of Faith 

Series: Unexpected Gifts Book 3

Author: Kristen McKanagh

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 301

Release Date: April 11, 2023  

Genre: Amish Romance

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Book Description:

The rewards of faith are plentiful in this sweet Amish romance from the author of The Gift of Joy.

The quietest of the three Kanagy boys, Daniel, would prefer to spend his time keeping his bees and selling the honey rather than tending his family’s gift shop. But with both his brothers breaking away from the family business, his parents need Daniel more than ever.

Contrary to town gossip, Faith Kemp didn’t jump the fence—she left to track down her twin sister, Mercy. When Faith returns home with a newborn baby, the rumors are tough to set right, and not everyone in the community is welcoming. To help support her family, Faith sells dried flower arrangements to the popular gift shop in town. Each visit, she looks forward to seeing Daniel Kanagy. He doesn’t say much, but his steady strength speaks to her just the same.

With girls buzzing around Daniel and trying to catch his eye, why would he turn his gaze to a quiet, plain girl who has a baby and too many rumors about her?

My Thoughts: Beautiful and Inspiring

What a wonderful story! I loved watching Faith and Daniel reestablish their friendship and watching how it blossomed into a mutual trust and support for each other. However, as their friendship deepens, challenging and unexpected situations rise up. Some of the situations are painful, and some involve difficult decisions, but all will require a reliance on faith and trust in God. 

The Gift of Faith is so beautifully written and it deeply touched my heart. Some parts had me smiling, some parts brought tears to my eyes and some had me reflecting upon the awesomeness of God and His faithfulness. That along with elements of forgiveness, grace and love make this an absolutely beautiful and inspiring story that I highly recommend.

I received an advanced copy of this book.  All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

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About the Author:  Kristen McKanagh

Romance author Kristen McKanagh writes sweet contemporary romance & Amish romance. She loves plots that warm the soul, feisty heroines with sass, heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of HEAs! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic.

Kristen attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing) and an MBA. However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

Kristen currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own swoon-worthy hero, their amazing kids, who are growing up way too fast, and 2 adorable fur babies.

kristenmckanagh.com

Texas Ranch Target (Cowboy Protectors Book 2) by Virginia Vaughan

Book Details: 

Title: Texas Ranch Target 

Series: Cowboy Protectors Book 2

Author: Virginia Vaughan

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Pages: 224

Release Date: April 25, 2023 

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Somebody wants her dead…
But they'll have to go through him first.

After his client is murdered, security expert Brett Harmon plans to lie low at his family’s ranch—until he comes across an injured woman in the road. With only Brett’s business card in her pocket and no memory of her attack, Jaycee Richmond turns to her rescuer for answers. But when their search reveals a deadly connection, can Brett protect her from a killer she can’t remember?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

My Thoughts: A Real Nail Biter

Wow! Brett and Jaycee's story is a real nail biter full of intrigue and suspense. It completely drew me in and kept me on the edge of my seat up to the very end. The story is a mix of mystery, suspense, danger, action, and romance.  All of that along with great characters, family aspects and a touch of faith based inspiration make this a story that is definitely well worth the read. 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.  All comments and opinions are completely voluntary and strictly my own.

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About the Author: Virginia Vaughan

Virginia Vaughan is a former investigator for the State of Mississippi who left a promising career to pursue her dream of being a writer. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include hearing stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself, delving into the genre of romantic suspense, armed with her passion for writing and the knowledge gained from her criminal justice background.

https://virginiavaughanonline.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ginvaughanbooks

https://twitter.com/gin_vaughan

https://www.instagram.com/virginiavaughanauthor/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7833357.Virginia_Vaughan

https://www.pinterest.com/ginvaughan/https://www.bookbub.com/authors/virginia-vaughan  

The Rancher's Sanctuary: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (K-9 Companions Book 13) by Linda Goodnight

Book Details: 

Title: The Rancher's Sanctuary 

Series: K-9 Companions Book 13

Author: Linda Goodnight

Publisher: Love Inspired

Pages: 224

Release Date: April 25, 2023 

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Could facing her fears…

Heal her damaged heart?

Physically and emotionally scarred, reclusive cowgirl Monroe Matheson prefers rescue dogs over handsome men. But when Nathan Garrison arrives in town, determined to fix up the guest ranch next door, he needs all the help he can get. Before long, Monroe knows there’s more to this stranger than meets the eye. Can working with a man carrying tragic memories be the key to overcoming Monroe’s wounds—both inside and out?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

My Thoughts: A Wow of a Story

It is no secret that one of the things I love about a book is when it grabs me right from the start, and The Rancher's Sanctuary did just that. It sucked me in from the very first page and did not let me go until I had read every single word. Needless to say that was a huge wow factor for me. 

I was completely intrigued and captivated by Nathan's story. It had me turning pages as I tried to piece everything together. I was also captivated by the relationship that developed between Nathan and Monroe. I enjoyed how Nathan's mystery served as the thread that drew them together. It was so sweet to watch how their discoveries of pieces of the mystery led to conversations of discoveries about each other. Their conversations and their bantering back and forth were entertaining and kept me smiling. However, whenever the effects from the wounds of their pasts came to the forefront in their growing relationship, it had me holding my breath and wondering how they would overcome. 

The wonderful characters, which included some very special four legged friends, and the intrigue made this story of love, overcoming, trust and faith an absolutely beautiful read that I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.  All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

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About the Author: Linda Goodnight

Winner of the RITA Award for excellence in inspirational fiction, Linda Goodnight has also won the Booksellers’ Best, ACFW Book of the Year (twice), and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine.

 

Linda has appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, and Christian bestseller lists, and her romance novels have been translated into more than a dozen languages. A  former nurse and teacher, Linda loves writing fiction that carries a message of hope and light in a sometimes dark world.

 

Linda enjoys cooking, reading, and travel. Next on her bucket list are Israel and Scotland. She lives in Oklahoma with husband, Gene, who, ironically, doesn't travel at all. 

Connect with Linda at www.lindagoodnight.com or https://www.facebook.com/LindaGoodnightAuthor

  

Ladybug Landing (Miller's Creek Book 4) by Mindy Steele

Book Details: 

Title: Ladybug Landing 

Series: Miller's Creek Book 4

Author: Mindy Steele

Publisher: 

Pages: 262

Release Date: March 28, 2023 

Genre: Amish Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Nelly Raber placed an ad in The Budget, hoping to help the widows and fatherless children of Miller's Creek. That was two years ago, and she has yet to live down the impulsive act that has become a yoke around her neck.

Levi Milford has worked hard for the future he has planned, but suddenly everything has gone wrong. Turning to a friend who seems to be having more trouble to him, Levi soon realizes why it's always best to put our futures in God's hands.

As summer looms to an end, one heart will be put to the test, while another might find her best match yet.

My Thoughts: Beautiful Story

One of the many things that draws me to a book is the title, and such is the case with Ladybug Landing. The minute I read the title I knew I just had to read it and find out the reason for the title. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. Not only did I find out the why of the title, but I found a whole lot more: a beautiful story of love, forgiveness, hope and faith. 

This was such a wonderful story! It took me on an amazing roller coaster ride of emotions. Author Mindy Steele flawlessly wove Nelly and Levi's story in such a realistic way that gave me an immediate connection to them and had me feeling all of what they were feeling and going through. I really thought I knew where the story was going, but such was not the case. Every time I expected one thing, I was completely taken by surprise at the direction in which the story went. The characters were great and the story was authentic and true to life. Needless to say, all of these kept me glued to the pages in anticipation of where it would all lead. In the end I was left with a smile on my face knowing that my faith, hope and trust in God will always lead me to where He wants me to be. And I'm pretty sure that I'll be reminded of that message whenever I see a ladybug.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.  All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

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About the Author: Mindy Steele

Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele writes Amish Romance peppered in humor, using her rural surroundings as her muse. She is a best selling author and the winner of the 2022 FHLCW Reader's Choice award for sweet romance. Steele creates realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending. Readers can find themselves, somewhere within her pages.

https://mindysteeleauthor.wordpress.com/  

Breaking New Ground (An Amish Legacy Novel Book 3) by Amy Clipston

 

Book Details:

Title: Breaking New Ground 

Series: An Amish Legacy Novel Book 3

Author: Amy Clipston

Publisher: Zondervan  

Pages: 336 

Release Date: April 11, 2023 

Genre: Amish Romance 

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Book Description:

Korey Bontrager knows he’s been an immature dummkopp. When his widowed dad remarried, Korey was unwelcoming to his kindhearted stepmother. Then he became estranged from his older brother. But after fourteen months in Ohio, God called Korey back to Pennsylvania.

Easier said than done. Back home, Korey feels left behind by his family and friends, who want to see him also happily married. Instead of looking for a new relationship, he finds himself spending time with Savannah Zook: the most outspoken maedel he’s ever met. She’s also confident and brave, having raised her younger brother from a young age. And she’s a natural beauty. But, hard as her friends try to convince her otherwise, she has no interest in dating. Her priority is looking out for her bullied brother.

So when Savannah suggests they pretend to date as a way to get her friends—and his family—off their backs, Korey readily agrees. Soon, he can’t imagine life without her. But could Savannah ever truly be part of his future? And after feeling betrayed by his brother and his last girlfriend, Korey isn’t quite ready to trust another woman with his heart.

My Thoughts: Wonderful and Heartwarming  

Korey Bontrager has come a long way from the person he was in the past. He knows God has brought him back home, but moving forward is going to take a lot of work. However, moving forward becomes a little less challenging and a lot more interesting when Savannah Zook suggests they fake date. That's when things take a turn for them in ways they never thought possible.

I truly did not like the old Korey, but the new Korey touched my heart in a special way. I could feel his frustrations and struggles as he worked at moving forward from his past and moving toward making things right. His situation struck a cord with how realistic and true to life it is. It shows how hard life is when you mess up and have to own up to your mistakes in order to make things right, especially when it involves moving from blame shifting, to taking responsibility, to asking for forgiveness. As Korey worked through all of that, his faith in God, his determination and his friendship with Savannah kept him moving forward. The same can also be said for Savannah. Her situation was different from Korey's, but she too had struggles and things to work through. Just as with Korey, their friendship, her determination and her faith in God helped her move forward as well. 

I loved Korey and Savannah's story. It was truly a joy to see how their "fake" relationship developed and grew. I also loved the how the themes of faith and family were woven into the story in such a way that added a very special touch to their story and to that of the other characters as well. This made for a wonderful and heartwarming story that I did not want to see end and one that I highly recommend. 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and strictly my own. 

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About the Author: Amy Clipston

Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series with Zondervan, which is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. An advocate for organ and blood donation, Amy donated a kidney in 2011 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through her donation, her husband received a second kidney transplant. Amy and her husband matched another couple and swapped kidneys with them. Amy's memoir, A Gift of Love, will be available in early 2014. She hopes her story inspires others to become organ and blood donors. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats. You can find her on the web at www.AmyClipston.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks.

Hopefully Ever After (The Amish Bookstore Novels Book 3) by Beth Wiseman

Book Details: 

Title: Hopefully Ever After

Series: The Amish Bookstore Novels Book 3

Author: Beth Wiseman

Publisher: Zondeervan   

Pages: 336  

Release Date: April 18, 2023

Genre: Amish romance 

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Book Description:

Sixteen-year-old Eden Hale doesn’t want to be defined by her current circumstances. Her mother is in prison, she doesn’t know her father, and she’s had her own run-ins with the law, but Eden refuses to become what people expect. When she is sent to live with an Amish cousin she’s never met in Montgomery, Indiana, she welcomes the chance to become the person she wants to be without the burden of anyone’s judgment. Her hopes are confirmed when she meets Samuel, a young Amish man who seems to like her for who she really is.

Samuel Byler has grown up with strict Amish parents, and they aren’t happy that their only son is choosing to spend his free time with an outsider. As Eden and Samuel grow closer, assumptions close in around the young couple. It isn’t long before Eden starts to doubt herself and wonders if she is doomed to follow in her mother’s footsteps, whether she wants to or not. Meanwhile, Samuel finds himself slipping further and further from his faith—to Eden’s dismay.

Both Eden and Samuel’s futures hang in the balance as they face decisions about who they are—both as individuals and together.

My Thoughts:  Sweet and Inspirational

Teenage years are one of the many difficult times in life. For Eden and Samuel, it is especially difficult. They share many similarities in how tough the road towards growing up truly is, but they also have some differences. While Eden is searching for a deeper faith journey, Samuel is questioning his and wondering if he's missing out on life. Eden is trying to live in a way that dispels any preconceived notions people may have of her. Samuel, on the other hand, is walking the line while feeling like he's just going through the motions. As they spend time together, they fall into an easy and honest sharing of their struggles. They find a kindred spirit in each other which deepens their friendship and relationship. In turn, their relationship also has an affect on their family relationships. Sometimes the results are good and sometimes they are not so good. Will Eden and Samuel's friendship and faith walk be able to survive their differences as well as the good and the bad? 

Hopefully Ever After is a wonderful story of hope, faith, new beginnings and second chances. The characters were realistic and drew me in  completely.  I found myself cheering them on and hoping that they would get to where they needed to be. It is a truly sweet and inspirational story and one that I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and strictly my own. 

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About the Author: Beth Wiseman

Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south central Texas. Visit her online at: 

https://bethwiseman.com/ 

One More Time for Joy (Paradise Valley Book 3) by Amy Lillard

Book Details: 

Title: One More Time for Joy

Series: Paradise Valley Book 3

Author: Amy Lillard

Publisher: Zebra Books

Pages: 352 

Release Date: March 28, 2023 

Genre:  Amish Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Joy Lehman has pressed on faithfully since losing her husband, raising their children and running a thriving bakery alone. Even caring for her oldest son, Johnny—seriously injured after a fall—has not shaken her fierce independence. Johnny will walk again, she’s sure. Until then, a meeting of the Widows’ Club at her home makes it clear that Joy must consider some costly renovations. Her brother-in-law, Uriah, is happy to provide the lumber and the labor—if Joy will accept his help.
 
Uriah understands family challenges—he’s a widower himself, and father to four daughters. Yet he can see that Joy’s struggle lies deeper than house repairs, in learning to accept an altered future for her son. As Uriah’s daughters begin helping in the bakery, and Joy and Uriah’s bond grows deeper, a new possibility glows bright—the unexpected happiness that lies in embracing one strong, united family, filled with support and love . . .

My Thoughts:  Great Read

Widow Joy Lehman and widower Uriah Lehman have much in common. Each has four children, has experienced the loss of a spouse, faces the demands of running a  business and deals with the challenges of being a single parent. Add to that the fact that they are in-laws related through their spouses, and you have quite an interesting mix.

Joy's son, Johnny B, suffered an accident that resulted in severely limiting his mobility. As Uriah comes to the realization of the difficulties that this is causing Joy and the family, he quickly steps up to help. It's a rocky start but results in their families spending more time together. Their family time in turn sparks some very interesting reactions from the characters. It even resulted in some of them resorting to planning and plotting, which caused me to smile and laugh on more than one occasion. Watching Joy and Uriah journeying through their trials and seeking God's will more deeply in their lives and in their relationship was beautiful and inspiring. It deeply touched my heart and kept me glued to the story wondering how it would all come together. 

One More Time for Joy is a beautiful story of faith, hope, family, second chances, and overcoming wrapped up in an Amish romance. It is also a truly great read that I highly recommend. 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and strictly my own. 

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About the Author:  Amy Lillard

Amy Lillard is an award-winning author of over forty novels and novellas ranging from Amish romance and mysteries to contemporary and historical romance. Since receiving a Carol Award for her debut novel, Saving Gideon (2012), she has become known for writing sweet stories filled with family values, honest characters, a hometown feel and close-knit communities. She is a member of RWA, ACFW, NINC, and the Author's Guild. Born and bred in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. Please visit her online at www.AmyWritesRomance.com.