Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary (A Sunflower Café Mystery Book 1) by Amy Lillard

Book Details:

Title:  Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary

Series:  A Sunflower Café Mystery Book 1

Author:  Amy Lillard

Publisher:  Kensington

Pages:  277

Release Date:  June 28, 2022  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Looking for a fresh start, advice columnist Sissy Yoder heads to small-town Yoder, Kansas, to help in her aunt’s café. But when a milkman is murdered, the newcomer becomes the prime suspect . . .

After Sissy’s rodeo cowboy boyfriend turns out to be more of a rodeo clown, she packs a bag; picks up her Yorkshire terrier Duke; and leaves Tulsa, Oklahoma, bound for her parents’ former hometown. There are still plenty of Yoders in Yoder, Kansas, including Sissy’s aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café but recently broke her leg. It’s a homecoming of sorts as Sissy arrives to help in the café and reunite with her pregnant cousin Lizzie. Plus she can continue to secretly write her newspaper advice column as seventy-year-old “Aunt Bess.” But it’s Sissy who could use some advice when she finds the milk deliveryman out behind the café with a knife in his back. As the sheriff’s prime suspect, it’s up to Sissy to catch the backstabber herself—before someone else gets creamed . . .

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.

                                              

My Thoughts:  Loved It!

What can I say about author Amy Lillard's wonderful writing talents that hasn't already been said? Not much, but repeating it doesn't hurt anything.  Ms. Lillard's talent for writing cozy mysteries never disappoints! And what does Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary offer? Mystery, laughs, romance, nuggets of advice and so much more. 

Getting to know Sissy Yoder and following her to a new town, a new job, and new friends was so much fun. When you add in a cute little Yorkie, a murder and being the prime suspect, that just kicked the story up a few more notches. As Gavin Wainwright joins forces with Sissy to investigate the murder, a special bond forms between them. Where this all goes can only be found out by reading Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary for yourself, and I definitely recommend that you do just that. 

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

The Warmth of Sunshine (Amish Blessings Book 2) by Kelly Irvin

Book Details:

Title:  The Warmth of Sunshine

Series:  Amish Blessings Book 2

Author:  Kelly Irvin

Publisher:  Zondervan

Pages:  380

Release Date:  July 5, 2022  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Abigail’s Amish life has always followed a certain path . . . until an Englisch woman disrupts all she’s known to be true.

Growing up Amish, Abigail Bontrager often felt like a square peg in a round hole. Her pie crusts always turned out tough. Her stitches always ran crooked. She was clumsy. Not ideal for an aspiring Amish wife and mother, but her faith and love of her family, which are so much more important, are solid. Plus, her relationship with the attractive and kindhearted Owen Kurtz is moving in the right direction.

Owen is part dreamer, part entrepreneur. His friendship with Abigail has gradually blossomed into a sweet and loving courtship. Inspired by the hope of a future with the girl of his dreams, he decides to take the next step in building a business of his own—in the promising new industry of growing sunflowers.

When an outsider claiming to be Abigail’s birth mother abruptly enters her life, Abigail’s world comes crashing down. Confused and upset, she is determined to discover who she really is. Her journey of discovery leads to the possibilities of a new life waiting for her in the Englisch world. But is this new life really worth giving up everything and everyone she’s known? How can Abigail and Owen follow their hearts—and God’s plan—when these new paths now lead them into the unknown?

In this second book in the Amish Blessings series, bestselling and award-winning romance novelist Kelly Irvin shares an inspiring story of following your heart while trusting God to lead you into your future.

About the Author: Kelly Irvin

Kelly Irvin is a bestselling, award-winning author of over twenty novels and stories. A retired public relations professional, Kelly lives with her husband, Tim, in San Antonio. They have two children, three grandchildren, and two ornery cats. Visit her online at https://www.kellyirvin.com/; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly_irvin/; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kelly.Irvin.Author/.

My Thoughts:   Square Peg

Abigail Bontrager has always felt a little out of place. Having grown up Amish, she's always felt that there are things she should be better at, such as making a great pie crust. However, that does not have any affect on her faith, her love of family, or her blossoming relationship with Owen Kurtz.  Owen also has a strong faith and love of family.  As his relationship with Abigail continues to blossom and as he looks toward a future with her, Owen  works toward beginning a business of growing sunflowers.  All seems to be going in the right direction until an outsider claiming to be Abigail's birth mother completely shatters everything.

First of all, I have to say props to Ms. Irvin for how well she dealt with this sensitive topic. I can only imagine what it would be like to find out that your parents are not your biological parents.  It brings in a slew of questions, a whole new family to get to know, and in this case, an entirely different culture, faith and way of life.  That had to be very difficult, not just for Abigail, but also for her family and Owen.  However, Ms. Irvin flawlessly handled the topic.  

Abigail's walk in the English world had some happy moments, but also challenging and sad moments.  While she tried new things in her new environment, she would ask herself so many questions about everything.  Heather, her bio mom, and Eric, her bio dad, sometimes said things that were encouraging to her, but other times, they came across as not wanting her to continue to follow her faith. This made Abigail feel even more like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. Such a difficult walk for Abigail and for Owen as he waited for Abigail's return. 

Another thing I have to say is that I struggled with this story, not because there was anything wrong with it, but because I had a very close personal connection to it. Through the years I've witnessed many baptized church members completely walk away from the faith and their belief in God. Having seen that and made me feel so much more connected to Abigail's story, and that was painful.  That being said, the author took the topic and wove it into a beautiful story. 

I can say so much more about this wonderful story, but the only real way to appreciate Abigail and Owen's story is to read it for yourself.  Just be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster and enjoy the ride.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

His Amish Sweetheart (The Petersheim Brothers Book 3) by Jennifer Beckstrand

Book Details:

Title:  His Amish Sweetheart

Series:  The Petersheim Brothers Book 3

Author:  Jennifer Beckstrand

Publisher:  Zebra Books

Pages:  325

Release Date:  June 28, 2022  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Fondly nicknamed “The Peanut Butter Brothers,” Andrew, Abraham, and Austin Petersheim skillfully run one of Wisconsin’s most cherished family businesses. But their mischievous younger twin siblings have a talent all their own—for matchmaking . . .
 
Between work and keeping his little brothers out of trouble, Austin Petersheim barely has time to think, much less court the most popular maidel in town. But if he can establish a local market to direct-sell his family’s goods, he’ll stand out as a potential husband. He’s so grateful for the help of his longtime friend, Hannah Yutzy, who has such practical ideas—and is so easy to talk to . . .
 
While Austin embarks on his plan, his siblings have a plan of their own: to give Austin and Hannah a little nudge to show them they’re made for each other. When their antics wreak havoc with a rival family emporium, Hannah must help Austin set things right.  And as she does just that, Austin is stunned to realize his best friend could be his perfect wife. Now he’ll just need the courage and faith to find out if she agrees . . .

About the Author:  Jennifer Beckstrand

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated and award-winning author of the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill and The Honeybee Sisters series, as well as a number of novellas. Novels in her Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series have been RITA® Award and RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award finalists. Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for inspirational fiction and Huckleberry Hearts was named a Booklist Top 10 Inspirational Fiction Book of the Year. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people. She and her husband have been married for thirty-three years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and seven adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten. Please visit her online at www.JenniferBeckstrand.com.

My thoughts: Fun and Entertaining

Hannah Yutzy and Austin Petertsheim have been friends since childhood.  Hannah knows she feels more for Austin than just friendship, but he only sees her as his easy to talk to friend. To top it off, Austin only has eyes for Priscilla Lambright, the most popular girl in town.  However, courting Priscilla means that he has to have viable financial means for the future. In order to meet that goal, Austin looks to begin a business. As Hannah encourages him, he finds that she has some great ideas that can help make the business a reality.  While Austin works at getting the business ready to go, he also has the task of taking care of his little brothers, twins Alfie and Benji, who can be quite a handful, but add so much to the story.

I greatly enjoyed His Amish Sweetheart, which I found to be very entertaining. Much of it was due to the twins' antics. However, when a few young ladies joined forces with the twins, that made it all the more entertaining. As for the others, I loved Hannah. She was sweet, funny, and so caring.  Austin, on the other hand, had me wanting to shake him on more than one occasion with his over the top dedication to Priscilla, who I so did not like. Her whininess and her obsession with her "organic" recipes quickly put her in the unlikeable category. However, when you put together characters you love, characters you want to shake, and characters that you just don't like, along with some hilarious antics of the littles, you have a great combination that makes a fun and entertaining story that you're sure to enjoy.

*I received an advanced copy from NetGalley.  All comments and opinions are strictly my own.