Amish Promises by Leslie Gould (review by Kristi)

Leslie Gould introduces us to two very different families in the first book of her new series. One family is Amish and living under the strict rules of the father, Tim. The other, an “Englisch” military family, is trying to return to normal life while Joel, the husband, recovers from injuries sustained while in Iraq. The two families live on adjoining farms and try to live peacefully side by side. As life happens to the two families the question becomes Can they?

I liked the storyline of this book. It is completely believable and not the run of the mill storyline often found in Amish fiction. I found myself wondering how it would be to live next door to an Amish family and how the interactions through everyday life would be handled. The interactions between these two families seemed completely authentic.

The adult characters in the book are all complex and have very real issues. There were times I wanted to shake the two main male characters. They were at times stubborn at best. I found it easy to relate to both of the female main characters. Their friendship is conveyed in a very genuine way. I also liked how the author included how the issues of the adults affected the kids. I think this added to the authenticity of the story.

Although this book deals with some serious issues it is not heavy or depressing. It is, in fact, quite easy to read. It has a good flow and pace to it that keeps the reader’s attention.

I would definitely recommend this book and can’t wait to read the second book in the series. ( I would like to read more about Monika and Gideon.)

I received a free copy of this book from the author and publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

To purchase a copy go to:

http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Promises-Neighbors-Lancaster-County/dp/0764215086/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430358092&sr=8-1&keywords=amish+promises

A Blessing for Miriam by Jerry Eicher(review by Cathy)

This is the first book in the Land of Promise series

An unexpected inheritance and angst make for an interesting storyline.

I was pleased with the direction Mr. Eicher took with his latest book. It’s a refreshing and different approach to your typical Amish fiction. The characters were believable and I enjoyed getting to know them.

This is a story of love, compassion, forgiveness and hope.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

 

The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows(Review by Cathy)

This is the first book I’ve read by Annie Barrows,but it will certainly not be the last,

The focus of the story is on one very charming, loveable, albeit eccentric family, but Ms. Barrows introduces us to other residents in the tiny town of Macedonia, West Virigina.

There are secrets, humor but most of all love. They love their town, their neighbors, but most of all they love each other and will protect the

ones they love.

Ms. Barrows dialogue is witty and the characters are brought to life in the rich story telling that was such a pleasure to read. I could feel the oppressive heat in 1938 Macedonia as well as the surrounding towns that I so gladly journeyed through with this amazing cast of characters.

I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

An Empty Cup by Sarah Price(review by Cathy)

This book is fast moving and very well written. Each of the characters are integral to the story, and Ms. Price has made each one interesting and cohesive.

Roseanna is a character that I came to care for as she seemed real and believable to me. As did her relationships with her husband, children and community.

There is one character that I did not care for throughout the book, but in the end, I did have empathy for her.

This is a very good book with both heartache and happiness.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

An Empty Cup by Sarah Price (review by Kristi)

This book is quite easily my favorite by Sarah Price. I have read several of her books and enjoyed them all but this one grabbed me at the first page and didn’t let go until the last word had been read. This book could very well be used as a textbook on how to write great Amish fiction.

I immediately felt a connection to the main characters in this book. They were easy to relate to and care about. The characters, even the not so nice ones, were well developed. The storyline was great. The reader can easily see it was well thought out and executed. The story moved along nicely and had a good flow to it. The book carries a good message and is well delivered. The author did a great job of writing about the topics of abuse and depression without the book being a dreary or depressing read. I think a lot of people believe the Amish don’t have to deal with these issues and it was nice to see how they are just the same as everyone else and how they dealt with the struggles they were faced with. I am hoping there will be a sequel to this book as I would like to read more about this family and community.

This is a great read and if you are a fan of Amish fiction (or just really good books) you should pick up a copy today. This is one for the “keeper” shelf!

I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

And the winner is……

Nancee Marchinowski

Congratulations!!!!!  You are the winner of Amy Clipston’s new release

Miles from Nowhere

Happy reading to you Nancee!!!!  And for the rest of you who entered but didn’t win don’t worry we are going to have more giveaways in the months to come.  Check back often for your chance to win a great read from a great author!!

Deception on Sable Hill (review by Kristi)

Shelley Gray whisks us away to 1893 Chicago in the first line of the book as we are waltzing across parquet ballroom floors with the high society people of Chicago. Set against the backdrop of the Chicago World’s Fair, this book has just the right amount of mystery, suspense and romance. All three elements are perfectly woven together with great descriptions to keep the reader intrigued and engaged from beginning to end.

I really liked the two main characters in this book. They were authentic and honest and the complex nature of their relationship made them seem real. I enjoyed reading about Chicago and the World’s Fair. Once again the descriptions Shelley wrote brought the city alive and it was so easy to imagine I was there.

It’s not often I find myself reading the same line of a book over and over or even remembering the page number so I can go back and read it again.  Shelley wrote a line in this book that had me doing both.  To me this one line captures the way Sean feels about Eloisa.  Here is that line:

This is a must read book for anyone who likes historical fiction, suspense, mystery, or romance. A wonderful way to spend the day reading!

I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

Miles From Nowhere Review and Giveaway!!!!!! (review by Kristi)

For Chelsea Morris life is perfect. It is the summer between high school and college and things couldn’t get any better. She has great friends, a part-time job she likes, a wonderful boyfriend, and to top it off, she was just named head costumer for the local theater’s production of Grease. She even has an assistant!

Things begin to change though when Chelsea’s friends and boyfriend are stuck working a lot of hours at their jobs and she finds herself alone or at the theater. There she meets Dylan, one of the actors in the play. Dylan could be described as the bad boy of the theater and he sets his sights on Chelsea. Even though she is warned about Dylan’s reputation from many people she is drawn to him. What starts out as an innocent friendship soon changes into a summer Chelsea won’t forget. The once responsible Chelsea soon finds herself making decisions she knows aren’t right but can’t seem to stop herself. Her family and friends notice the change in her but she shrugs it off to have her summer of fun. Can she stop her downward spiral before it’s too late?

I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and must admit I was a little hesitant at first. After all, I’m not exactly a young adult and I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this book much or at all. Just a few pages in my mind was made up–I loved this book! This book captured my attention from the first page and I couldn’t put the book down. When life interrupted my reading I couldn’t wait to get back to reading to see what was going to happen next.

Miles from Nowhere is a great story told as just the right pace to keep the reader interested. The characters are well developed and authentic. The book has a good message that is delivered in a way that isn’t preachy or overbearing. Amy has a way of writing that makes you care about the characters and what is happening in their lives.

Miles from Nowhere is a good read for the young adult and not-so-young adult alike.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion which I have provided.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of this great book!  Giveaway open until April 11, 2015.  Winner will be chosen April 12.

Happy Release Day!!!!!!!!!

Happy release day to Shelley Shepard Gray and Amy Clipston!!!!!  Their two wonderful books are available NOW!!!!!!  Be sure to treat yourself and pick up a copy of each!

                                         

Deception on Sable Hill by Shelley Shephard Gary(review by Cathy)

The much anticipated second book in a Chicago World’s Fair Mystery.

Mystery, intrigue and romance, this book has it all and is just one more example of why I’m a huge fan of Shelley Gray.

The relationship between Eloisa Carstairs and Detective Sean Ryan is multifaceted. There’s the attraction, the forbidden aspect of their attraction due to their stations in society and the genuine love between them. This story has subplots that are equally as interesting and very well written.

Ms. Gray has an amazing talent for creating characters that you genuinely care about.

In this book, she’s at her finest with the dialog between the characters, the vivid descriptions of their surroundings and as always she keeps the reader interested from beginning to end and leaves you wanting more.