Monday, January 29, 2024

The Heart's Shelter (An Amish Legacy Novel Book 4) by Amy Clipston


Book Details: 

Title:  The Heart's Shelter 

Series: An Amish Legacy Book 4

Author: Amy Clipston

Publisher: Zondervan

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 6, 2024 

Genre: Amish Romance

Book Description:

Kira has no interest in dating and putting down roots in Pennsylvania—that is, until she finds a kindred spirit in Jayden Bontrager.

Kira Detweiler doesn’t plan to be in Lancaster County for long. She’s left her family in Indiana to help her aunt after the birth of her fourth boppli. Or at least that’s what she tells people. Deep down, she’s trying to escape the heartache of a broken engagement and has no plans to date again anytime soon.

Jayden Bontrager watches his older brothers with admiration, and he prays that someday he’ll have the kind of life they do. Even so, he’s only twenty-three and not in a hurry to marry and start a family. He’s content to watch from the sidelines and is happy to see his brothers enjoying a close relationship once again.

When Jayden and Kira strike up a friendship, they are each drawn to the other’s gentle and humble demeanor, and they feel things for one another unlike anything they’ve felt before. But Kira is torn between her heart and her home. She sees no point in pursuing a relationship with Jayden when she doesn’t plan to put down roots in Pennsylvania. The last thing she needs is another heartbreak.

Will Jayden and Kira be able to overcome the obstacles in their path to find the future they both dream of?

My Thoughts: Wonderful Story

In book four of Amy Clipston's Amish Legacy series, we catch up with Jayden Bontrager. Having met him in the prior books of the series, I would classify Jayden as my favorite Bontrager family member. His kindness, maturity, and all-around good nature are what make him so special, and it was so great to finally read his story.

In the story, I found that Jayden is still the wonderful person that I thought him to be. He is still so caring and kind-hearted, and I wanted his story to be special and have a happy ending. Although that's what I wanted, Kira sure did make it difficult for me to believe it could ever happen. I totally understand why she felt as she did, and I felt for her and what she'd been through. However, she just didn't seem to want to move past that. Thus, I found myself annoyed with her on more than one occasion and was left thinking that it was going to be a hopeless situation. But how it all turns around and turns out is just something you'll have to read for yourself. And trust me. You won't be disappointed. And if you haven't read the prior books in this series, no worries. It can be read as a standalone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are voluntary and completely 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.



Friday, January 26, 2024

The Quilt Room Secret (The Heart of the Amish) by Lisa Jones Baker


Book Details: 

Title: The Quilt Room Secret 

Series: The Heart of the Amish

Author: Lisa Jones Baker

Publisher: Barbour Fiction

Pages: 258

Release Date: February 1, 2024 

Genre: Amish Romance

Book Description:

Trini Holds Secret Dreams for Her Future
 
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
 
As they took turns pushing each other on the swing that hung from a large tree, the mature—for a five-year-old—Jacob Lantz asked Trini Sutter to marry him. The nine-year-old thoughtfully responded that she’d consider his proposal when they were older.
 
Nearly two decades later, the Amish farmer returns to the beautiful countryside of Arthur, Illinois, to take the independent owner of The Quilt Room up on her promise. Quiet, handsome Jacob is truly in love with the spirited list maker, and Trini finds herself falling in love with Jacob, but the youngest of eleven has big plans of her own.
 
Jacob’s long-held aspirations are put to the test when he learns that Trini has been holding a secret. He prays for a turnaround of events; however, when Trini moves away from her tight-knit community, he begins to realize that his dream of them being Mr. and Mrs. most likely won't happen. 
 
Will Trini forfeit her own well-laid plan for the man of her dreams?

My Thoughts: Endearing

Trini and Jacob have quite the history, which I found to be sweet and endearing. That history played a huge part in their reconnecting and their day-to-day interactions, which impacted their blossoming relationship. As that relationship grew, it had me feeling torn with the characters. 

While I loved Jacob with his kind, caring, sweet, and understanding character, Trini ended up spending a lot of time getting on my last nerve. I kept waiting to see if and when she would ever see what was right in front of her nose. Needless to say, it was painful to watch. However, seeing how all of that worked to impact the end result was what made this such an enjoyable read. When you add to that the lessons learned by the characters, as well as the deep message of faith and God's will, you have a very special and endearing story that is well worth the read.

Lisa Jones Baker is a new author to me, and as such, Although I didn't know what to expect., I have to say that I greatly enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more of her books. 

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

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About the Author: Lisa Jones Baker

Lisa Jones Baker grew up near a small Amish town in Illinois that she frequented with her family on weekends. She's also a dog lover and a fan of Scottsdale, Arizona, where she spent nearly two decades. Lisa graduated from Illinois State University with a French major; has been on five out of seven continents; and considers her parents the best in the world. Raised in a Christian home, Lisa has always been blessed with love and support. She enjoys hearing from readers at LisaJonesBaker.com.










Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Dangerous Texas Hideout (Cowboy Protectors Book 3)


Book Details: 

Title: Dangerous Texas Hideout 

Series: Cowboy Protectors Book 3

Author: Virginia Vaughan

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Pages: 205

Release Date: January 23, 2024 

Genre: Christian Suspense/Clean & Wholesome Romance

Book Description:

Seeking refuge from danger…

with threats at every turn

When her daughter is the only witness able to identify a group of bank robbers, single mom Penny Jackson knows their lives are in danger. These men will do anything to keep Missy quiet—permanently. Escaping to a small Texas town was supposed to be safe, but when the criminals track them down, police chief Caleb Harmon becomes their only hope for survival…

My Thoughts: It Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat

Dangerous Texas Hideout will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to the pages. The suspense starts from the very first page and does not let up until the very end. 

From the moment that Caleb meets Penny and Missy, he gets the feeling that something is not quite right, and little does he know how spot on his feeling is. As Caleb and Penny work together, one surprise after another spurs them forward in an attempt to keep Penny and Missy safe while trying to discover who is behind everything. It had me holding my breath and guessing up to the very end. Elements of romance and faith that were rolled into the mystery and suspense made it a perfect combination, which also makes it a story that should absolutely not be missed.

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

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