Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Brian's Choice (Plain and Simple Miracles) by Vannetta Chapman
Book Description:
Brian’s Choice is an e-only novella prequel to the brand-new Plain and Simple Miracles collection from popular author Vannetta Chapman (A Promise for Miriam). These stories of love and family and Amish community in Oklahoma tell of the miracles that can happen when lives are lived in service to God and to one another.
Brian Walker has it all—a trust fund, the job of his dreams, and a beautiful woman at his side. But all of that changes in one tragic moment. Six months later he finds himself in the small town of Cody’s Creek, Oklahoma, and eventually becomes a member of the Amish community located there.
Brian feels God’s hand directing his path, and he begins to hope that perhaps his past is behind him for good. However, nothing prepares him for the day his bishop asks him a question.
Brian’s choice changes everything.
A story about the miracle of faith, the solace of love, and our ability to forgive and be forgiven.
Brian's Choice is available at the following locations:
My Reflections:
When a book, especially a novella, can capture you right from the start, you know it’s going to be good, and Brian’s Choice fits that to a tee. It begins with the prologue which instantly piques your interest as it sets up the rest of the story. From that point on, the pieces start falling into place as you realize the connection between where Brian’s story begins to where it continues.
Brian’s Choice is a story about forgiving and forgiveness, new beginnings and mercy, as well as grace, and love. But the theme from the beginning is definitely choice. Brian’s story begins with a choice that he made and continues with his consequent choices that result from that initial choice. It is also a reminder that all of our choices are accompanied by consequences or blessings. It is reflective of how much is involved in our day to day life choices as well as choices in our spiritual lives. As a window into Vannetta Chapman’s Plain and Simple Miracles Series, Brian’s Choice is indicative that these stories will definitely be about love, faith, family, and “the miracles that can happen when lives are lived in service to God and to one another.”
*****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and viewpoints are my own.
Perspectives By Nancee: "Brian's Choice"(Prequel to the Plain & Simple Mir...
Perspectives By Nancee: "Brian's Choice"(Prequel to the Plain & Simple Mir...: "Brian's Choice" (Prequel to the Plain & Simple Miracle Series) by Vannetta Chapman 5 stars! Description ...
Sunday, July 19, 2015
A Bride at Last (Unexpected Brides Book #3) by Melissa Jagears
Book Description:
Abandoned by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesey has fought an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her whereabouts.
Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon realizing she'd been deceived about her intended groom, she's now settled into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away, Kate assumes she'll take on care of nine-year-old Anthony--until two men suddenly show up in town, claiming to be the boy's father.
Silas can see Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony's wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?
Review:
One of the things that makes Melissa Jagear’s books so good is that although you sort of know how the story will end, you have no idea how it will get there. The author always chooses series of events that have not just one, but various elements of surprise. The result is a story that will be difficult to put down until you’ve read all the way to the very last page. The author also throws in some suspenseful events that keep the reader guessing and turning pages to see how it’s all going to go down. Suffice it to say that A Bride at Last, the third book in the author’s Unexpected Brides series is no exception to that formula.
Silas Jonesey has not had the easiest life, nor has he always made the best choices. One of those not so good choices was getting a mail order bride who walked out on him a few months into the marriage. However, Silas has since then worked at turning his life around. Years later he receives word from his estranged wife, and he sets out to see her unaware of the surprise that’s waiting for him. One part of that surprise is in the form of Kate Dawson, a school teacher.
Kate Dawson has also had here share of difficulties in life. She was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but that didn’t work out. So, now she finds herself a school teacher. Little did she know that one day she’d be faced with an event that would turn her life around and bring her face to face with Silas Jonesey.
I liked how Silas and Kate’s relationship evolved. The evolution involved some surprising twists and turns that kept the story moving. The story’s elements of intrigue and romance are also accompanied by a message of faith and hope. My favorite scene involved a crate, a bottle, and boots. It was beautiful, meaningful, and touching making A Bride at Last a very entertaining and endearing read.
*****I received a copy of this book from Bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and viewpoints are my own.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
The Birdhouse (Amish of Jamesport #3) by Laura V. Hilton
Book Details:
Title: The Birdhouse
Series: Amish of Jamesport Book 3
Publisher: Whitaker House
Pages: 272
Release Date: September 16, 2015
Book Description:
“Twenty–year–old Greta Miller's daed has been injured in a farming accident during the summer. The supportive Amish community tries to help out, but Greta and her sister must work outside the home to make ends meet, and so Greta rents a booth at the farmers' market. Because Greta is still in her rumspringa and free to explore the world, her family selects her to sell her homemade jams, jellies, and preserves to Englischers. Josh Yoder wants to court Greta, but years ago, he made the mistake of rejecting her during a seemingly innocent game; which resulted in him leaving the Amish. Three years later, he's back, but Greta wants nothing to do with him. Josh struggles to fit in and rebuild relationships he destroyed. Knowing Greta's family needs help, he steps in, hoping to win her back. When Greta admires one of his birdhouses, he gives it to her, hoping that it will open the door to more. But as their friendship begins to grow, a series of unfortunate events pull Greta away from the Amish, leaving her rejected by those she loves. Will Greta get beyond her family's distrust and return home? Will she prove her innocence? Or will she remain outside her Amish community?”
About the Author: Laura V. Hilton
Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning author with more than twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she's not writing, she reviews books and writes devotionals for Seriously Write.
Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas.
When she's not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, and her favorite holiday is Christmas.
To learn more about Laura, read her reviews, and find out about her upcoming releases, readers may visit:
lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com
www.familyfiction.com/authors/laura-v-hilton
www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
My Thoughts: That Was Awesome!
It never fails. I pick up a Laura V. Hilton book telling myself one chapter and that’s it. Never works. The author has such a talent for grabbing your attention from the first page and making it difficult to put it down once you get started, and The Birdhouse is no exception to that rule. It was just that good!
Although The Birdhouse is part of the Amish of Jamesport series, it is also a standalone. The author offers enough background to keep you in the loop of the rest of the series without disrupting the flow of the current story. And what a story that is.
As a result of her father suffering injuries that have made it impossible for him to work, Greta Miller’s family has suffered many difficulties. Greta becomes one of the main providers for the family as she goes from working at the Country Store to working daily at the local farmer’s market. On top of that, she must keep up with her chores at home. As if that weren’t enough, Greta now has to daily face Josh Yoder, the same Josh Yoder that left her brokenhearted a few years ago. Something she definitely does not want to do. Or does she?
Josh Yoder abruptly left three years ago. At the time he had his reasons for doing so, but now he’s back, and he’s back with a plan. The main part of that plan involves Greta. However, the plan is not going to be easy to execute as Greta isn’t totally excited about his return. But then, actions speak so much louder than words. Don’t they?
For me, The Birdhouse was an emotional rollercoaster, which is a good thing. I was sad, excited, scared, filled with hope, and so much more as I felt every emotion the characters were experiencing. And believe you me, they were going through a lot, as the story isn’t just a romance. It’s a romance, a story of lost faith, a story of hope, and a story of intrigue and mystery. I also loved how the author didn’t hold back or sugar coat anything as she threw in some unexpected events that I did not see coming.
The Birdhouse: Romance? Definitely! Intrigue? Absolutely! Hope? Without a doubt! All of these together make up an amazing story that will leave you saying, “Wow! That was awesome!”
Book quote:
“Her stomach fluttered. She’d probably regret changing her mind. She and Josh had nothing to say to each other.
Not one single word.
But better talking than kissing, for her sanity’s sake.”
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and viewpoints are my own.
To Soar on Eagle's Wings by Renee Blare
Perfect Combo!
"Spring’s in the air. While the sun shines in Timber Springs, snow falls on the Snowy Range, and trouble’s brewing in the meadows. The area’s new game warden, Steve Mitchell launches his first wildlife investigation of the season but the trouble follows him—straight to town.
Rachel Fitzgerald’s on Spring Break. Or at least she’s trying. Between paperwork, and harassing phone calls, she may as well have stayed in her classroom. So much for relaxation. A ‘chance’ meeting with her brother’s old roommate offers her weary soul a shred of hope, but she discovers love, like life, isn’t easy.
He talks with the wisdom of the Lord but rejects the future. She wants to soar with the eagles but walks alone. And trusting God proves to be more of a challenge than ever before… "
Romance and mystery are a perfect combination, and To Soar on Eagle’s Wings is just that. I was drawn in immediately as the author introduced the background of the relationship between the characters at the very beginning of the story. It then moved to the present which set the backdrop for the rest of the story. Although the first few chapters seemed to move a little slow, they were crucial to the rest of the story. And wow, once it took off, it really took off. I was turning pages as fast as I could and sitting on the edge of my chair. It had me guessing up to the end. But don’t be fooled by the action, intrigue, and mystery. Renee Blare also masterfully combines sweet romance, faith, and hope in with the mystery and intrigue making To Soar on Eagle’s Wings a perfect combination.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and viewpoints are my own.
Rachel Fitzgerald’s on Spring Break. Or at least she’s trying. Between paperwork, and harassing phone calls, she may as well have stayed in her classroom. So much for relaxation. A ‘chance’ meeting with her brother’s old roommate offers her weary soul a shred of hope, but she discovers love, like life, isn’t easy.
He talks with the wisdom of the Lord but rejects the future. She wants to soar with the eagles but walks alone. And trusting God proves to be more of a challenge than ever before… "
Romance and mystery are a perfect combination, and To Soar on Eagle’s Wings is just that. I was drawn in immediately as the author introduced the background of the relationship between the characters at the very beginning of the story. It then moved to the present which set the backdrop for the rest of the story. Although the first few chapters seemed to move a little slow, they were crucial to the rest of the story. And wow, once it took off, it really took off. I was turning pages as fast as I could and sitting on the edge of my chair. It had me guessing up to the end. But don’t be fooled by the action, intrigue, and mystery. Renee Blare also masterfully combines sweet romance, faith, and hope in with the mystery and intrigue making To Soar on Eagle’s Wings a perfect combination.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and viewpoints are my own.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Batch of Books: Murder Freshly Baked: An Amish Village Mystery
Batch of Books: Murder Freshly Baked: An Amish Village Mystery: Murder Freshly Baked: An Amish Village Mystery by Vannetta Chapman Age range: adult (appropriate for teens, too) Genre: cozy mystery...
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