Their Make-Believe Match: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance by Jackie Stef

 Book Details: 

Title:  Their Make-Believe Match 

Series:  n/a

Author: Jackie Stef

Publisher:  Love Inspired

Pages:  204

Release Date:   July 26, 2022

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Book Description: 

Their pretend relationship…
Is becoming all too real

Irrepressible Sadie Stolzfus refuses to wed someone who doesn’t understand her. To avoid an arranged marriage, she finds the perfect pretend beau in handsome but heartbroken Isaac Hostettler. Spending time with the unconventional Sadie is helping Isaac avoid matchmaking pressure—and helping him handle a difficult loss. But can they really be sure their convenient courtship isn't the real thing?

About the Author: Jackie Stef

Publisher's Weekly Best-Selling author Jackie Stef began immersing herself in Amish culture at a young age and wrote her first Amish story at eleven years old. When she’s not busy writing, she enjoys photographing the countryside, playing with her pets, and exploring the backroads of Lancaster County. She lives in rural Pennsylvania and loves to spend time in nature. Connect with her on these sites: https://www.facebook.com/jackiesplainandfancy                                                 https://twitter.com/J_PlainandFancy/                                                                     https://www.instagram.com/jackiesplainandfancy 

My Thoughts: Enjoyable and Inspiring

What a wonderfully engaging story! It grabbed me from the very first page and kept me reading to the very end. I couldn't put it down, because I just had to see how Sadie Stolzfus and Isaac Hostettler's story was going to play out. From the moment they met, I knew that their relationship was going to be something special.

Spirited Sadie was such a joy to get to know. I loved how she enjoyed even the smallest things, how she connected her reflections of God's world to life,  and to His Word. The way her reflections impacted others was truly touching and inspiring. I also loved seeing both Isaac and Sadie make transitions as they embarked on their "fake" relationship. It made for a very lovely, enjoyable and inspiring story that I highly recommend.

Book Quote:

"After Gott sent the rain to Noah, he put his rainbow int the sky. Don't get caught up in the storm clouds, because there's still hope for something beautiful on the other side of the storm." (p. 72)

In Love with the Amish Nanny: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance by Rebecca Kertz

Book Details: 

Title:  In Love With the Amish Nanny

Series:  n/a

Author: Rebecca Kertz

Publisher:  Love Inspired

Pages:  206

Release Date:   July 26, 2022

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Book Description: 

She could never marry for love.
But what about for a family?

Still grieving her beloved fiancé’s death, Katie Mast is not interested in finding a new husband—even if the matchmaker believes widower Micah Bontrager and his three children are perfect for her. But Katie’s compassion knows no bounds and she agrees to nanny the little ones. Could this arrangement lead to a life—and love—she thought could never exist again?

About the Author: Rebecca Kertz

Rebecca Kertz has lived in rural Delaware since she was a young newlywed. First introduced into the Amish world when her husband took a job with an Amish construction crew, she took joy in watching the Amish job foreman's children at play and in swapping recipes with his wife. Rebecca resides happily with her husband and dog. She has a strong faith in God and feels blessed to have family nearby. She enjoys visiting Lancaster County, the setting for her Amish stories. When not writing or vacationing with her extended family, she enjoys reading and doing crafts.

Her website is http://www.rebeccakertz.com

You can also follow her on: 

Facebook Facebook.com/RebeccaKertz/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rebeccakertz/ 

Twitter at https://twitter.com/RebeccaKertz 

My Thoughts:  Beautiful Story of Hope and Love

Katie Mast and Micah Bontrager both know what it's like to have experienced a huge loss. What they don't know and what they don't see at first is that this common thread is exactly what will draw them together. Katie and Micah's story is a beautiful story of forgiveness, overcoming, and love that will greatly touch your heart.

An Amish Proposal for Christmas: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Indiana Amish Market Book 1) by Vannetta Chapman

Book Details: 

Title:  An Amish Proposal for Christmas

Series:  Indiana Amish Market Book 1

Author: Vannetta Chapman

Publisher:  Love Inspired

Pages:  215

Release Date:   September 27, 2022

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Book Description: 

Her deepest Christmas wish will bring more than she imagined…in this novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Vannetta Chapman.

The only way she’ll find home

is by leaving it…

The one thing Becca Yoder loves more than Christmas is her dream of leaving her Amish community and traveling the world. Becca has her father’s reluctant permission to leave—if she trains Gideon Fisher to run the family’s enormous outdoor market. But Gideon is homesick for Texas. Can Becca make him fall in love with her hometown…without falling for the handsome bachelor herself?

About the Author: Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series, and Plain and Simple Miracle series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner, a Christy finalist, and she also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes Christian suspense, Amish romance, and Amish mystery. She was a teacher for 15 years and resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at: 

webpage -- www.VannettaChapman.com 

blog -- http://vannettachapman.com/blog

facebook -- www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks

pinterest -- http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman

instagram -- https://instagram.com/vannettachapman

twitter -- https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman

My Thoughts:  A Great Start to a New Series

In order to fulfill a dream she has, Rebecca (Becca) Yoder is on a mission to find a replacement for herself. Quiet and shy Gideon Fisher is the potential replacement. Training Gideon should be easy enough, except that Gideon isn't exactly crazy about staying in Shipshewana or being trained by the bossy Becca. Will these two opposites be able to overcome their differences, work together, and end up as friends or even more?

I greatly enjoyed this first book in Ms. Chapman's new series. It was an entertaining read that had some ups and downs which kept me guessing a few times. It also included some great characters that contributed much to the story. I especially enjoyed Becca's sisters and Nathan. Their contributions to the story added dimension without taking the focus off of Becca and Gideon. 

I also enjoyed how Becca and Gideon's relationship developed. They each had to make some changes to their way of thinking, their plans and a few misconceptions to make it work, and that is what made the story so special for me. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their transition and the end results.

Becca and Gideon's story is a great beginning to this new series. With a start like that, I can't wait to read what comes next. 

Release date: September 27, 2022

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a review. All comments and opinions are strictly my own. 

The Secret Garden Devotional by Rachel Dodge

Book Details: 

Title:  The Secret Garden Devotional

Author: Rachel Dodge

Publisher:  Barbour Books

Pages:  224

Release Date:   October 31 , 2022

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Book Description: 

The Secret Garden Devotional offers lovely inspiration that explores the themes of faith, family, contentment, wisdom, and joy in the classic Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, cherished by generations of readers.

Each reading corresponds with a chapter from the book and invites you to embrace God’s guiding hand in your life as you are becoming His new creation. With themes of growth, spiritual nourishment, God's love and care, and His transforming power, this beautiful chapter-by-chapter devotional includes original artwork throughout. Each reading includes examples from the novel, scripture, life application, and prayers perfect for groups, book clubs, or personal reflection.

About the Author: Rachel Dodge

Rachel Dodge is the bestselling author of the award-winning Anne of Green Gables Devotional: A Chapter-By-Chapter Companion for Kindred Spirits and Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen. Her newest book, The Little Women Devotional: A Chapter-by-Chapter Companion to Louisa May Alcott’s Beloved Classic, is now available! Rachel teaches college English classes, gives talks at libraries, teas, and book clubs, and is a writer for the popular Jane Austen's World blog. She is passionate about encouraging and equipping families to grow closer to Jesus through prayer and the study of God's Word. A true kindred spirit at heart, Rachel enjoys books, bonnets, and ball gowns.

https://www.racheldodge.com

My Thoughts: Beautiful Devotional

The Secret Garden was my all time favorite childhood book. So, when I saw the title to this devotional, I knew it was one that I had to read.

Author Rachel Dodge has created a beautiful devotional that flawlessly ties the book chapters and devotionals together. Each devotional consists of a synopsis of a book chapter, a book quote, scripture references, personal application, and a prayer. This combination is very inspirational, encouraging, thought provoking and heartfelt. It is one that I will come back to time and time again, and one that I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. All comments and opinions are completely my own.

The Prayer Jar Devotional: Hope by Wanda E. Brunstetter with Donna K. Maltese

Book Details: 

Title:  The Prayer Jar Devotional: Hope

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter with Donna K. Maltese

Publisher:  Barbour Pub Inc

Pages:  208

Release Date:   August 30, 2022

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Book Description: 

The Prayer Jar Devotional: Hope delivers the same life-changing inspiration as Wanda E. Brunstetter's unforgettable stories. Every reading will help you draw closer to your heavenly Father. Your prayer life will be transformed as you read through these dozens of encouraging devotional readings centered around the theme of hope. With each turn of the page, you'll discover unchanging truths of God's Word alongside meaningful prompts that guide you to write out your personal prayers or favorite, hope-filled Bible verses and then add to your very own prayer jar. (Simple instructions are included in the introduction.)

Once you've finished reading the last page, you'll have a full prayer jar of your very own. Use it to infuse your heart with inspiration and encouragement when you need it or share it with a friend who could use some faith restoration of her very own!

About the Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 11 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com. 

My Thoughts: Absolutely Inspiring

The Prayer Jar Devotional is an absolutely inspiring devotional. The author begins by explaining what a prayer jar is and how it can strengthen our prayer life and relationship with God. Each devotional that follows has a scripture, prayer, narrative, and a prayer jar suggestion. 

One of the things I enjoyed was how the format of the book is easy to follow, easy to understand, and visually appealing.  However, the most important thing that I loved about the book is that each devotional is uplifting, moving, encouraging, full of hope and sure to inspire the prayer life of all who read it.  

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

The Second Christmas (An Amish Holiday Novel Book 1) by Marta Perry

Book Details: 

Title:  The Second Christmas

Series:  An Amish Holiday Novel Book 1

Author: Marta Perry

Publisher:  Berkley

Pages:  268

Release Date:   September 27, 2022

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Book Description: 

The warmth of the Christmas season and a woman’s return home to the charming Amish community of Promise Glen opens the door to a second chance at love.

When Leah Beiler pictured returning to Promise Glen, she imagined taking everything she learned from her aunt’s business in Upstate New York and starting up a quaint herbal tea shop of her own. What she didn’t expect was for Josiah Burkhalter to insist on helping her. Josiah might have been her childhood sweetheart but they’ve both changed a lot since then and Leah’s not sure she can trust the man who once broke her heart.
 
Josiah is determined to make the most of this unexpected second chance. When he hears of Leah’s plans to open her own shop, he resolves to help in any way he can—beginning his gentle campaign to win her back by renovating the small cottage on her family’s farm.
 
During her time away, Leah looked forward to once again spending the holiday season with her family, especially Second Christmas, December 26th, a time of celebrating with extended family and close neighbors like the Burkhalters. But as Christmas nears, her feelings for Josiah grow more confused, strengthened by their time of working together. Now it will take all the magic of the season for Leah to confront her fears and reach for the love she deserves.

About the Author: Marta Perry

Marta Perry realized she wanted to be a writer at age eight, when she read her first Nancy Drew novel. Most girls reached the end of that book wanting to be Nancy. Marta wanted to be the person who created the story.

Marta PerryThe dream lay hidden for years while she pursued other career goals, but eventually it re-surfaced, and she began to write, beginning with short children’s stories for Sunday school take-home papers. After seeing hundreds of her short stories published in a variety of magazines, Marta finally started work on the novel she’d always wanted to write. Fifty-some published novels later, she still feels the same excitement when she begins a new book.

A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led Marta to the books she writes now about the Amish. The Pleasant Valley Amish series from Berkley Books are longer, more complex emotional stories with Amish main characters, while the Amish Suspense series from HQN Books are more adventure-filled books set in Pennsylvania Amish country. She also continues to write for Love Inspired Books.

Marta lives with her husband in a century-old farmhouse in the Pennsylvania countryside, but spends winters at their vacation home in South Carolina. When she’s not writing, she’s active in the life of her church and enjoys traveling and spending time with her three children and six beautiful grandchildren.

https://www.martaperry.com

https://www.martaperry.com/links.html

My Thoughts: Beautiful Story

A year ago Leah Beiler left Promise Glen for two reasons: to mend a broken heart and to learn how to run an herb business. Now she's back home, and her father has given her a cottage where she will be able to start her own business. While Leah is excited about starting her business, she's not excited about the fact that Josiah Burkhalter, her former boyfriend, will be doing the repairs on the cottage. Both Leah and Josiah harbor situations that require them to work toward forgiveness: forgiving themselves and forgiving others. As Leah and Josiah work together and rekindle their friendship, the question becomes whether or not each will be able to find true forgiveness and in the process find love. The result is a beautiful story that is sure to tug at your heartstring. 

Release date: September 27, 2022

Thank you to Berkley Publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All comments and opinions are strictly my own.

The Amish Matchmaker (Paradise Valley Book 2) by Amy Lillard

 Book Details: 

Title:  The Amish Matchmaker

Series:  Paradise Valley Book 2

Author: Amy Lillard

Publisher:  Zebra Books

Pages:  303

Release Date:   September 27, 2022

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Book Description: 

While most women her age are searching for husbands, Astrid Kauffman has chosen a different path--writing romance novels and donating her profits to her beloved Amish community. But when Astrid struggles with writer’s block, she agrees to play matchmaker for Imogene Yoder, a widowed mother of rambunctious twin boys. Perhaps the diversion—and the entrée it gives Astrid to the stories among the Widows’ Club—will spark her creativity . . .
 
Fortunately, Astrid has just the match for Imogene: a widower she believes is the finest, most handsome man in town. In fact, Astrid realizes he’s perfect . . . for herself! Soon, the plot thickens as Imogene questions what kind of marriage she really wants, and Astrid wonders what kind of matchmaker falls for someone else’s match. But by letting faith guide the way, all involved may discover true love has written a far better next chapter than any of them expected . . .

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: Delightful

Yes, Astrid Kaufman really is a romance writer, but she is most definitely not a matchmaker. However, when Imogene Yoder seeks Astrid out for her matchmaking skills, Astrid neglects to correct her error. Instead, she takes on the matchmaking job thinking that it will help her get over her writer's block. Astrid's decision leads to some very interesting events as she targets a widower that she feels would be Imogene's perfect match. Ah, but the course of true love never did run smoothly, and such is the case with Astrid's matchmaking. While her matchmaking skills did not make for a smooth course, they definitely made for some very entertaining and surprising events, making this a delightful story that you are sure to enjoy.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions and comments are strictly my own.

NetGalley's Book Advocate Toolkit by We Are Bookish

Details: 

Title:  NetGalley's Book Advocate Toolkit

Author: We Are Bookish

Publisher:  NetGalley.com

Pages:  31

Format:  PDF Protected via NetGalley.com only

Release Date:   March 8, 2022

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Description: 

Are you ready to start your journey with NetGalley? Or maybe you’re a long-time member looking to take your book advocacy up a notch? No matter where your starting point is, this toolkit is designed to have everything you need to succeed.

From guidelines for creating your member Profile to tips for maintaining a strong Feedback Ratio, these pages are packed with advice for utilizing NetGalley to your advantage.

Once you have a few books on your Shelf, pop over to this toolkit’s review section to brush up on tips for crafting book reviews—even those tricky critical ones!

When you’re ready to share those reviews, this toolkit can help jumpstart your bookish social media platforms and offer suggestions for reviewing and creating content on social.

So what are you waiting for? Download the kit and get started.

My Thoughts: Very Informative

This guide is a must have for anyone on NetGalley.  It covers a multitude of helpful topics and is easy to follow. The layout is eye catching and helps you target the main points in each section. The guide also has sections with links to other sites that contains even more information on the various topics. It is a very informative, comprehensive and beneficial guide that you are sure to use over and over again.  

I received a copy of this guide via We Are Bookish and NetGalley.  All comments and opinions are strictly my own. 

Still My Forever: A Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Book Details: 

Title:  Still My Forever: A Novel

Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer

Publisher:  WaterBrook

Pages:  328

Release Date:   September 6, 2022

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Book Description: 

Can a frustrated composer find new inspiration with the woman who once made his heart sing? From the bestselling author of Freedom’s Song comes a charming romance inspired by a real historical figure.

“A melodious second-chance romance.”—Publishers Weekly

Four years after leaving town to make a name for himself as a composer, Gilbert Baty has returned temporarily to Falke, Kansas. Now, he’s trying to keep everyone from learning the truth about his disastrous years in New York City. He hopes to start writing music again in Falke, but he can’t help being distracted by Ava Flaming, the brown-eyed baker to whom he was briefly engaged before he ended things—and who still stirs feelings in him he knows he has no right to pursue. 

Ava had thought she was past the loss of Gil Baty. But to her dismay, she’s as drawn to him as ever. The situation only gets worse when Gil establishes a youth band in Falke, showing once more what a good man he is. 

But when the band has a chance to compete in a statewide competition, Ava faces the prospect of heartbreak again. Could music take Gil away forever this time? Or might God be stirring in Ava’s and Gil’s hearts a new song that will draw them together for good?

About the Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer

Award-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wife, mother, gramma, chocolate-lover, cat-petter, and--most importantly--a daughter of the King! With more than 1.5 million books in print in seven different languages, Kim enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Her "gentle stories of hope" are loved by readers and reviewers alike. Kim and her retired military husband, Don, reside on the plains of Kansas, the setting for many of her novels. 

https://kimvogelsawyer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KimVogelSawyer.Author.Speaker/

https://twitter.com/kimvogelsawyer?lang=en 

My Thoughts: A Truly Beautiful Story

Not having read a historical fiction story in a very long time, I wasn't sure what to expect. But I must say that with Still My Forever, author Kim Vogel Sawyer has made me want to delve more into this genre. It was truly heartfelt and my heart immediately went out to Gil and his broken spirit. It had to be so difficult for him to return to Falke with broken dreams and to a difficult family situation. I wondered how he would get back to his music and to Ava.

As for Ava, I understood how hard it had to be for her. Taking care of her mom, the household and a host of other tasks had her putting her own needs on hold. However, Gil's return had her looking at things in a new light.

How these two forge ahead in their redeveloped friendship and relationship is a truly beautiful story. It was touching and inspiring as they sought God's will for their lives and the possibility of a renewed relationship. The story drew me into what the characters were going through and feeling, and this made the story that much more special. It is a beautiful story that is not to be missed, and I highly recommend it.

I received a  copy of this book via NetGalley.  All opinions and comments are strictly my own.