Monday, November 28, 2022

The Love of a Good Amish Woman (Joyful River) by Rosalind Lauer

 


Book Details: 

Title:  The Love of a Good Amish Woman

Series: Joyful River Book 3

Author: Rosalind Lauer

Publisher:  Zebra Books

Pages:  339 pages

Release Date:   December 27, 2022

Book Description:

An overworked bishop and a resilient widow are a help to nearly everyone in their faith-filled Amish community of Joyful River, Pennsylvania—but what will help them see just how right they can be for each other?
 
Collette Yoder’s path hasn’t been easy since her husband abandoned her—and she recovered from a near-fatal injury. But now-widowed, she feels blessed to provide for her children, especially when her new job means helping the also newly widowed Bishop Aaron Troyer straighten out his too-busy life. She simply won’t let herself hope too much that their friendship could blossom into much, much more . . .
 
Aaron Troyer can only thank Gott that he’s finally found help. With a thriving congregation and two lively daughters growing up fast, the bishop has more demands on his time than hours in the day. And he’s long admired Collette Yoder's quiet courage and ability to find joy in the smallest things—an inspiring example for three visiting Englisch girls. But amid unforeseen trouble and strife, Aaron may realize that his admiration for Collette could lead to a lifetime of joy together . . .

My Thoughts: A Wonderful Read

Years ago Collette Yoder's husband abandoned her. Although theirs wasn't a romance filled relationship, the now widowed Collette doesn't see a new relationship in her near future.  Collette has a true servant's heart. She has a job cooking and cleaning for an Amish family, and also takes on the same tasks for the widowed Bishop Aaron Troyer.  

Like Collette, Aaron doesn't see a new relationship in his future either. Being the leader of the church community is a full time commitment in itself. But on top of that, Aaron runs his farm and helps others with theirs. Because he is so busy, he is very grateful for Collette's help, especially with his daughters. As Collette and Aaron spend more time together, their friendship deepens and begins to develop into something more.

I loved  watching Collette and Aaron grow in their relationship and faith. While their story is the main focus, a few other interesting and captivating story lines run along side theirs. These stay in the background and add just the right touch to the story without taking the focus away from Collette and Aaron. I also enjoyed how the author incorporated details about the duties of the bishop and the deacons. This helped me better understand Aaron and all he had to contend with. 

The Love of a Good Amish Woman is a wonderful read. Along with the romance you'll find a story of faith, hope and overcoming obstacles. It is well worth the read, and I highly recommend that you do just that.

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

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About the Author: Rosalind Lauer

Rosalind Lauer is the author of the Joyful River Series, Lancaster Crossing series, and Seasons of Lancaster series. She grew up in a large family in Maryland and began visiting Lancaster County’s Amish community as a child. Lauer attended Wagner College in New York City and worked as an editor for Simon & Schuster and Harlequin Books. She now lives with her family in Oregon, where she writes in the shade of some towering two-hundred-year-old Douglas fir trees. Readers can find her on Facebook at facebook.com/GoodOldFashionedBooks.

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Amish Holiday Vendetta by Laura Scott

 


Book Details: 

Title:  Amish Holiday Vendetta

Series: n/a

Author: Laura Scott

Publisher:  Love Inspired Suspense

Pages:  210 pages

Release Date:   November 29, 2022

Book Description:

An Amish widow. An Englischer with a past.

Who’s the real target this Christmas?

Attacked in her barn just before Christmas, Amish quilter Elizabeth Walton doesn’t know why someone wants to harm her. But when gunfire narrowly misses Elizabeth and furniture maker David McKay, the 
Englischer fears his past has put them both in the crosshairs. David’s determined to protect the pretty widow…but is his presence the real danger? Or is there another motive behind the deadly threats?

My Thoughts: It Grabbed Me From the Start

Elizabeth Walton is attacked and has no clue why. David McKay also finds himself in a dangerous situation that leaves him asking why as well. What follows is a series of event after event that kept me glued to the story the whole way through.

What a superb story! It grabbed me from the start, and I did not put it down until I'd read the entire book. The story's pacing moved along quickly and kept me completely enthralled and intrigued. Every time I thought I knew what would happen next, I was wrong, which  captivated me even more. The author flawlessly combined elements of suspense, intrigue, romance and the faith. The result is fabulous suspense filled story that you will not be able to put down until you reach the very end.

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

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About the Author: Laura Scott

My name is Laura Scott and I'm a registered nurse by day and an author by night. I have written 55 books for Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense as well as several indie series - Crystal Lake, Lifeline Air Rescue, The McNallys and Security Specialists, Inc. I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with my husband of 35 years. I hope you enjoy my books as much as I love writing them!

Yours in Faith,

Laura Scott

www.laurascottbooks.com




Tuesday, November 8, 2022

The Forgiving Quilt (The Shadow Lake Series Book 2) by Lenora Worth

 

Book Details: 

Title:  The Forgiving Quilt

Series: The Shadow Lake Series Book 2

Author: Lenora Worth

Publisher:  Zebra Books

Pages:  306 pages

Release Date:   November 29, 2022

Book Description:

From award-winning New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Lenora Worth, the second in the Shadow Lake inspirational romance series featuring independent Amish sisters who run a historic inn located near Lake Erie, Pennsylvania. It’s a satisfying life of simplicity and peace, but when Eliza King must hire a childhood nemesis to help care for the horses, will she be able to find room in her heart to forgive? And can forgiveness be the most powerful force on the road to everlasting love?

Eliza King already has a broken heart, and thanks to a rickety ladder, she now has a broken leg too. She isn’t dealing with either very well. Ever since a brief romance ended when the boy who’d been courting her tried a little too hard to take things further, Eliza has sought refuge in reading books and tending to her beloved horses. Being incapacitated makes the latter impossible. But her Englisch doctor knows an Amish man looking for just such work . . .
 
Eliza is shocked to discover that the man is Levi Lapp, the very boy who humiliated her, now all grown up. Levi is embarrassed over his clumsy behavior as a teen. He wants to earn Eliza’s forgiveness, even if he can’t win back her heart. . . . And once Eliza reluctantly agrees to hire him, she finds herself enjoying the little gifts and encouraging notes Levi leaves for her. Encouraged by her older sister, she begins to fashion a quilt out of each item. Soon Eliza can see Levi’s caring spirit plainly before her—and the possibility that he might just be the best thing for her horses—and for her.

My Thoughts: Letting Go of the Past

Eliza King is not very happy to find out that her former beau, Levi Lapp, has returned and will be working in her place while she heals from an accident. Eliza and Levi's past is riddled with deep hurts. Levi's goal is for Eliza to forgive him and for them to possibly have a relationship. He tries everything he can think of to make that happen. However, Eliza isn't very quick to buy into Levi's plan, until her mother encourages her to make a forgiving quilt. Even then, the road for these two is not a smooth one. Misunderstandings, lack of communication, letting go of the past, and even some characters created snags in their relationship. Nevertheless, watching their relationship develop with its ups and downs is what had me turning pages to see how it would all play out, The end result is one that did not disappoint making this a story I highly recommend. 

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

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About the Author: Lenora Worth

Lenora Worth is an ACFW Honor Roll member. She writes inspirational fiction for Harlequin's Love Inspired and sweet romance for Tule Publishing. She also writes for Kensington Books. She helped launch the Rodeo Knights Western Romance imprint. Her LIS Body of Evidence made the NY Times Bestseller list and she is also a USA Today and Publishers Weekly Bestselling author. In 2016, she received a Romantic Times Pioneers of Fiction Award. Three of her books have been nominated for the ACFW Carol Award and she is an RWA RITA finalist. Lenora has written 80+ books and has an estimated 3 million books in print. She loves cheesecake, shoe shopping, walking on the beach and reading.



Sunday, November 6, 2022

Coming Home (A Woodland Park Firefighters Romance Book 1) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Book Details: 

Title:  Coming Home

Series: A Woodland Park Firefighters Romance Book 1

Author: Shelley Shepard Gray

Publisher:  Berkely

Pages:  352

Release Date:   November 29, 2022

Book Description:

In Woodland Park, a small town nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak, Anderson Kelly and Chelsea Davis were once the high school “it” couple—the star quarterback and the valedictorian. They broke up when Anderson joined the army and one poor decision at a fraternity party changed Chelsea’s life. Now, she works long shifts in a senior center to support her nine-year-old son, Jack.

After multiple tours in Afghanistan, Anderson has changed, too—physically scarred but mentally strong—and he decides to move back to Woodland Park. Anderson and Chelsea steer clear of each other to avoid reopening old wounds, until they are forced to reconnect through the senior center. They soon discover that the love they once shared never completely vanished. But it will take a fire, a dangerous collision, and the love of one little boy to help Anderson and Chelsea see that the future they've always yearned for is in sight...

My Thoughts:  Beautiful Love Story

Anderson Kelley and Chelsea Davis have history. Some of it is sweet, and some of it is painful. The painful parts have left each of them scarred and sadly, neither knows how to move forward from the painful parts in order to make amends. However, as they spend more time together, Anderson and Chelsea are able to start looking back at the past and realizing that the pain they suffered was not one sided. They each played a role in their past hurts. Coming to that realization is the beginning of what turns their relationship from past hurts to a second chance at love. 

Author Shelley Shepard Gray once again flawlessly draws you into the story and makes you feel a connection to the characters. They are realistic and their conversations are insightful and help you get to know them more. The story takes you from feeling hopeless to hopeful, from guilt ridden to guilt free, and from unforgiven to forgiven. As Anderson and Chelsea navigate through their past, they are able to move forward and work toward a second chance at love. The result is a beautiful and moving love story that I highly recommend. 

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

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About the Author:  Shelley Shepard Gray

Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She's published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.

Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, https://shelleyshepardgray.com/ to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on: 

FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyShepardGray?fref=ts  

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shelley.s.gray/?hl=en 

Twitter https://twitter.com/ShelleySGray


Saturday, November 5, 2022

The Rebel's Return: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (The Ranchers of Gabriel Bend Book 2) by Myra Johnson

Book Details: 

Title:  The Rebel's Return

Series: The Rancher's of Gabriel Bend Book 2

Author: Myra Johnson

Publisher:  Love Inspired

Pages:  217

Release Date:   January 25, 2022

Book Description:

Surprise fatherhood could be just the thing

to reform this black sheep.

Called home after an injury in the family, prodigal son Samuel Navarro shocks everyone by arriving with his surprise baby in tow. When Samuel’s mom is unable to act as a full-time babysitter, his childhood love, Joella James, reluctantly takes the job. But can the newly devoted dad convince Joella he’s a changed man…and that she’s the perfect final piece to his little family?

My Thoughts:  Uplifting

The prodigal son is a very appropriate way to describe Samuel Navarro. After leaving home to make his own way, he returns home a changed man, a better man. However, much to everyone's surprise, he returns with a baby daughter. Joella James. Samuel's childhood love, is just as surprised as everyone else, and she has a very difficult time believing that Samuel is a changed man. 

Samuel and Joella's story is beautiful and uplifting. As they get to know each other again, old wounds are opened. Nevertheless, as each one examines their part in what happened in the past, they begin to realize that new beginnings are possible. The road isn't smooth, but forgiveness and faith help them move forward from a place of hurt and judgment to a place of love. It is a truly wonderful and inspiring story of love and hope that is well worth the read.  

Book Quotes:

Lord, it's in Your hands. Help me trust You and leave it there. p. 159

And I realized nobody but God knows what tomorrow will hold. Each day is a gift, and I'm pretty sure God doesn't want our worries about what may or may not happen in the unforeseen future to keep us from savoring every moment of the life He's given us today.  p. 186

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About the Author:  Myra Johnson

After thirteen years away, native Texan and award-winning author Myra Johnson is happy to be back in her home state enjoying bluebonnets and real Texas barbecue.

Myra's novels have won several honors, including the 2014 Christian Retailing's Best Award for historical fiction and the 2017 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. She is also a two-time finalist for the ACFW Carol Awards and a three-time finalist for the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Awards. She is currently at work on another contemporary romance for Love Inspired.

Married since 1972, the Johnsons have two beautiful daughters, two godly sons-in-law, and seven amazing grandchildren. The Johnsons share their home with two lovable (and very spoiled) rescue dogs and a snobby cat who thinks he's the boss of everyone!

Visit Myra's website at www.myrajohnson.com