A Time to Heal by Barbara Cameron

A Time to Heal by Barbara Cameron

Published: 2011

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Series:Quilts of Lancaster County(Book 2)

Goodreads Summery:

Christopher Marshall is a weary and wounded ex-soldier who just wants some peace in his life.  He met Jenny in the hospital and later corresponds with her.  When he visits her and Matthew, he envies them their happiness.  Then he meets Matthew's sister, Hannah Bontrager, and there's a clash of cultures and values between the former career military man and the gentle, pacifist Amish woman.  Yet there also is a deep attraction between them, and they fall in love.
Born and raised on a Kansas farm, Christopher finally finds peace in this simple community helping Matthew with the crops. Christopher expects resistance to his presence from the Amish but is appalled when he and Hannah experience threats. He has no fear for himself.  But to protect Hannah, he resolves to leave everyone and everything he has come to love in this place he calls "God's country."  When he discovers who his enemy is, he realizes he must stay and reveal a secret that has sent him into a different world than he has ever known.

This book tells the story of Hannah, Matthew’s sister. She is now living with Jennie’s grandma. She really wants to find the right guy and settle down and have a family but the right man has just now shown up. She tries to be patience but she struggles with waiting on God’s timing. Then one day she finds a Englishman in the barn and she finds herself attracted to him. Could this be God’s plan for her or will she just have to keep waiting?

Christopher has come to talk to Jennie. After meeting her in the hospital many months ago he wants to ask her some questions that might help him heal from his past. He did not expect to meet a spirited Amish women who starts to steal his heart.

This was a good book I think I enjoyed the story line from this book a little better then the first in the series. I really liked Hannah and how she speakers her mind and does not back down from a argument. She definitely goes against the grain of what one would expect an Amish lady to behave.

Christopher is also very likeable. He feels a connection with the area and the people and seems to find a peace as the book goes on. This book is also dropping some hints to the 3rd book due out later this year.

My problem with this book is again same idea of the first book an Amish falls for an English person and everyone just seems fine with that. As much as I wanted to love this book because I so love the characters I just can’t get past the fairytale of it being so easy to become and Amish. I almost wish the subject had been different with this book having both books deal with the same basic story line was a little boring.

I love the writers style and am looking forward to the 3rd book which looks to deal with some other issues. A great series so far though and I am enjoying this author a lot!

Book Rating

Steamy Rating

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Time to Love by Barbara Cameron

A Time to Love by Barbara Cameron

Published: 2010

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Series: Quilts of Lancaster County(Book 1)

Goodreads Summery: War correspondent Jennie King thinks she’s just a temporary guest in her grandmother’s Amish community while she recuperates from the devastating injuries sustained in a car bomb attack that changed her world. But when she meets Matthew Bontrager, the man she had a crush on as a teenager, she wonders if God has a new plan for her. Jennie has emotional and physical scars and though she feels she has come home to this man and this place, she's not sure she can bridge the difference between their worlds.

Jennie heads to her Amish Grandma’s house to heal after being overseas as a war correspondent where she was hit in a car bomb attack. She has not been back to her grandma’s house since she was a teenager. The last summer she had been there she had a crush on an Amish boy.

Matthew is all grown up and raising his three children alone since his wife died of cancer a few years ago. His sister Hannah has been living with him and helping him with the kids. As soon as he see’s Jennie the feelings of his youth returns and he is right there to help Jennie heal from her injury’s. Will the difference between these two keep them from finding true love or will love and faith over come all?

I have not read this author before and I enjoyed this book quite a bit. She does a great job explaining the beliefs of the Amish and this would make a great first time Amish fiction read since it explains things very well. I liked all the characters. Both Jennie and Matthew where well developed. I also enjoyed Matthew’s children and I felt they where well fitted in this book. Jennie’s grandma is also a great women and your given some hints in this book that she will play a bigger part in coming books of this series.

I have a few things about this book that made me take pause. I felt the idea of a English person turning Amish came across as way to easy. I have read other books that deal with this subject and this just did not seem as realistic as others I have read. I know Jennie’s grandma is Amish but I would think there would be more of an uproar over an Amish man falling for a English lady then happened in this book. I also felt Matthew did not seem to really think about that side of it very much which seemed a little odd.

Over all though a fun book which I enjoyed. I am looking forward to the other books in this series as well. The characters are so likeable you can’t help but to want to read more about them!

Book Rating

Steamy Rating

Disclosure: I got this book for free as a Kindle Freebie from Amazon.com

The Caregiver by Shelley Shepard Gray

The Caregiver by Shelley Shepard Gray

Published: 2011

Publisher: Harper Collins

Series: Families of Honor(Book 1)

Goodreads Summery:

Two lives converge one stormy night on a train headed to cleveland

Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while.

The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.

Once in Jacob's Crossing, Lucy is occupied with caring for Mattie, while Calvin does his best to run his family's farm. But they can't stop thinking about those special hours spent together. Will the bond they formed last? And will Lucy and Calvin be able to put away the pain in their pasts to recognize the happiness that is suddenly in their grasp?

Lucy was abused in her first marriage. Her husband died a year before in a barn accident and now Lucky finders herself on a train heading for Ohio to spend a month caring for her cousin Mattie who is battling cancer and will be undergoing Chemo. On the train she meets Calvin who she soon finds out is also heading to Ohio in fact to the same small town! Calvin is traveling with his little sister and his Uncle John who is returning home after being in the English world for 20 years.

Will Lucy face her past so she can step into her future? Will Calvin have the patience to help her? Will cancer cause Mattie to turn away from God or will she grow stronger because of it? Will Uncle John who is now English find love when he finds himself falling for two women from two different worlds? You must read this book and find out!

This book well it was awesome. When I find an author like this who I just love I rave and well rave I will!! From the first page of this book I was sucked in. A lot of times it will take me some time to get into a book or I really have to force myself to get through parts but not this one. As soon as my eyes hit the words I found myself riding the train with these characters and soon getting to know Jacob’s Crossing and finding myself not wanting to leave!

This book touches on two subjects that has affected many people. Spousal abuse and cancer. Being an Amish book one would probably not think such a thing could happen. The way it was handled in this book was so real you felt Lucy’s pain but at the same time felt her hope and then peace as she healed from her past.

You also felt Mattie’s pain as she begins chemotherapy and the despair over her wondering if she really will get better. I can’t wait to read more about her in the next book! Uncle John you soon find also has a past that he is running from. He soon finds himself having feeling for an English lady and an Amish lady. He finds himself torn and I also look forward to seeing how this will play out in the next book.

Calvin is getting over the pain of a broken relationship when he first meets Lucy. But soon he finds himself falling for her. Calvin is also intruding us to his brothers and planting seeds for the next two books. I liked how the author did this. We start to learn about the other brothers but she does not over shadow Calvin’s story at all. Very well done.

Honestly I can’t find a fault with this book! I had trouble putting it down and found myself thinking about the story when I was not reading it.

I read lots of books and have quite a few favorite authors and this book and author grab a top spot. I read so many books and like so many of them too that I wanted to create a special award for books that really stand out and this book gets the first mention.

Book Rating

Steamy Rating

 

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Published: 2010

Publisher: Revell

Series: Lancaster County Secrets

Goodreads Summery:

Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many. Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.

Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.

Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.

Beautifully written, The Search is a skillfully woven story that takes readers through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past.

Lainey finds herself once again in Stoney Ridge. She still harbors a secret that could tear a family apart. She soon finds herself friends again with Bertha who unknown to Lainey has a plan of her own as well. Bertha’s granddaughter Bess comes to spend the summer and before long her father Jonah comes as well due to Bertha’s medaling.

Will the secret destroy this family or will the truth set them free?

I will be honest this book is deep. There are so many characters I am not sure where to start. Lainey’s choice when she was but a child holds many challenges. With in a few chapters you soon learn that Lainey’s secret has many branches. I don’t want to give away any  of this book so I feel limited in how much to tell.

I loved the idea of an Englisher becoming Amish I always wondered how that might work and how the community would except it. Bess is a teenager who is at first scared of her grandma but soon finds herself loving her. She get s crush on the local boy Billy who works for her grandma. I will be honest that this part of the story could almost have been left out. I felt the ending for these two left you going Wait what?? I thought at first maybe there would be another book to properly close that story but from what I have researched that is not the case.

Bertha is so much fun she seems scary at first but you soon find yourself loving her and laughing at some of her ideas to get things done her way. The love story between Lainey and Jonah was sweet and they had a lot of challenges and you wonder up to the end if they will over come them to be together(I will let you find that out for yourself!).

The downside to this book for me was how many characters there where. I know this is the writers style and she does it very well but this book had a lot of twists and turns and with so many angles at times it just felt a little to much at times.

Over all it was a great book and the series as a whole is wonderful and I would highly recommend these books to others!

Book Rating

Steamy Rating

Over all Series Rating

Source: I bought this book from Amazon.com 

Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long

Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long

Published: 2011

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

Series: Patch of Heaven(Book 2)

Goodreads Summery:

She isn't looking for love. He's mending a broken heart. It will take divine intervention for these two to get together.

Local Amish schoolteacher Lilly Lapp is tired of weddings, afraid of horses, and immersed in caring for her depressed mother. But when Jacob Wyse, a handsome horse breeder from her small community rescues her from a dangerous accident, Lilly discovers a renewed interest in life and the possibility of love.

Yet Jacob has lost the one true love of his life to another man and doesn't care to expose himself to the vulnerabilities of loving again.

God works to bring this unlikely pair into a sweet romance to produce a pattern of faith, which leads to the creation and comfort of Lilly's Wedding Quilt.

Lilly is heading to Sarah and Grants wedding when a sudden rain storm hits and she seeks cover in a barn where Jacob is hiding out recovering from being shot after he stole a English mans horse. From here the adventure begins. Will Jacob over come his past feeling for Sarah and find true love? Will Lilly be able to deal with her depressed mother as well as becoming a wife? Read this great book to find out!

I loved this book! I had trouble putting it down. I love when a book starts out strong and just keeps going. With in 5 pages I was sucked into the lives of both Jacob and Lilly. There are lots of surprised in this book that I did not expect which made it even more interesting and this made it a page turner.

This book deals with a side story of Lilly’s mom who is suffering from depression. I thought the author did a great job of not letting that story line over shadow the main but at the same time it gave a interesting look into how it would be handled in the Amish community. I already can’t wait for the third book and wonder who’s story the author will tell next. I would highly recommend you go back and reading the first book of this series first. Sarah’s Garden is also a great read. You could read this book with out going back but reading the first one will better help you to understand Jacob and his broken heart.

This book will be released March 29th 2011!

Book Rating

Steamy Rating

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

What the Heart Sees: A Collection of Amish Romances by Kathleen Fuller

What the Heart Sees: A Collection of Amish Romances by Kathleen Fuller

Published: 2011

Publisher:Thomas Nelson 

Series: None

Goodreads Summery:

Together for the first time, three Amish romances from Kathleen Fuller.

 

"A Miracle for Miriam" from An Amish Christmas

Miriam fell for Seth, but he broke her heart. Years later, after he's nearly killed in an accident, Miriam sees him at a Christmas party and notices something is different about him-not just how he looks, but how he acts. When Seth pursues her, she must decide whether to guard her heart or accept his love.

"A Place of His Own" from An Amish Gathering

When Josiah left Paradise the first time, he didn't even say good-bye. Now he's back, ten years later, and he's changed. Why is he so distant and bitter? Where is the boy who used to be Amanda's best friend? Amanda is learning that there are things even a capable Amish girl can't fix. But can she stand there and watch him walk away...again?

"What the Heart Sees" from An Amish Love

A tragic accident rocks a peaceful Amish community, leaving Ellie Chupp blinded and Christopher Bender's future shattered. But they find love and forgiveness in a place they least expect.

I enjoyed all three of these stories. In the first one

A Miracle for Miriam I found it interesting to read of a Amish young lady dealing with body image. Reading as these two young people fell in love was heart warming and a good reminder to be proud of who we are. Seth was learning to see everything different after an accident scared him for life and Miriam learned to love herself as she is. A great story.

A Place of His own was a little slower for me I did not feel like the characters got fully developed but it still was a fun read. Josiah had to forgive his father for the way he was treated after his mother dies and it also touched on tempers and control which is another subject one would not expect to read about in an Amish book. Amanda was a sweet girl but to me her character was kind flat. I did not feel like I really got to know her that well and the ending left me going that’s it? But I did enjoy the story over all.

I read What the Heart See’s in another collection a month or so ago. I loved is story. Ellie was blind and feared she would never marry. Christopher is still getting over the death of his girlfriend. Together they both come to better understand who they are and learn to put the past behind them and move ahead together.

Over all a great book. I enjoyed all three stories and if you enjoy Amish Romances then you should grab this book! This author is one of my favorites and I look forward to reading more of her books.

Book Rating

Steamy Rating

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this book from the publisher through BookSneeze to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Sarah's Garden by Kelly Long

 Sarah's Garden by Kelly Long

Goodreads Summery: Deep in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, shy Sarah King is happiest when working in her vibrant Amish kitchen garden, but new family responsibilities lead her into the confusing world of the Englisch. Sarah finds her life turned around when she encounters the community’s new Englisch veterinarian, Grant Williams. His blue-gold eyes and his obvious concern for her people attract her immediately. Sarah seeks solace and direction from the Lord as she creates a quilt pattern which details her struggle between two worlds. The Lord is guiding Sarah to follow His will, but will she listen?

Sarah is a young Amish woman who has not found herself yet. She is shy and loves to spend hours in her garden growing her vegetables. Now that her older sister is married she is taking over running the road side stand which puts her out of her element. On her first day at the stand she meets Grant the new Englisch vet. There is an immediate connection but such a relationship is forbidden. Will Sarah give up all she knows for true love or will Grant find himself by becoming Amish? You will have to read this book to find out!!

I really liked this book. I admit I love a romance book where there is a bit of a block in the road for the couple. I found myself holding my breath wondering how it was going to turn out. I read this book with an online book club and some of the other members questioned the relationship between the two. I guess I found it so fun to read because I liked how true love was crossing a line. Over all a great book and I can’t wait for the next one in the series.  

Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long due out March 29th 2011!!

Book Rating

Steamy Rating

The Journey by Wanda E. Brunstetter

The Journey by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Goodreads Summery: Discover along with Titus Fisher how life can begin anew in Christian County, Kentucky. Moving from Pennsylvania, finding rewarding work, and leaving a broken romance behind is the best decision Titus ever made. But is he ready to consider love again when he meets two women: one who seems perfectly suited for any Amish man and one who challenges long held ideas of the woman’s role. Who will Titus chose, and will it be the right choice?

Titus has been in love with Phoebe since he was 13. Phoebe though is not ready to settle down and breaks Titus's heart. She heads off to California and Titus takes a new job in Kentucky to try and forget about Phoebe. Suzanne is the granddaughter of the man Titus is going to be working for. At first Suzanne reminds Titus of Phoebe so they don’t get alone. Esther is is a good friend of Suzanne and she takes an interest in Titus as well. Will Phoebe come back? Will Titus see past the resemblance he see’s in Suzanne and see her in a new way or will Esther win his heart?

I started out really liking this book. I found the story interesting. As the book went on I had trouble with how many characters where telling the story and how often we jumped from Kentucky,Pennsylvania to California. I found it hard to get to know Suzanne and Titus. The book is well written though and I enjoyed reading this book I just felt a little overwhelmed with the different characters. Suzanne was my favorite and I liked how she did a lot of growing in the book. She over comes her lack of cooking skills which was a fun side story of the book. If you like Amish fiction I am sure you will like this book.

This book will be released April 1st 2011!

Book Rating

Steamy Rating

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Lydia's Charm by Wanda E. Brunstetter

 Lydia’s Charm by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Goodreads Summery: Visit Amish Country during the fall as Lydia King attempts to make Charm, Ohio, feel like home after losing her husband. But is her heart ready to open back up to love when gifts appear on her porch from a mystery source? Could it be from the widowed father of four energetic boys, or is it from the man who has rejected romance to be his family’s caregiver? When life hands Lydia another challenge, will the gift giver be there to support her?

Lydia moves back to Charm Ohio with her young son to live with her mother. Lydia’s husband has died a year ago and she has lost her job. She has a strained relationship with her mother and she is hoping by moving in with her mother and helping her take care of her ailing grandfather they will build a better relationship. She soon catches the eye of two Amish men. Menno who is a widow with 4 active boys and Levi who’s whole family has dwarfism except him.  Tragedy soon strikes Lydia. Will she be able to over come it and find true love again?

I liked this book a lot and I wanted to love it and I would have if it had not been for one of the tragedies in the book. I don’t want to give it away but I felt it was not needed and it really ruined my enjoyment of the book. I felt after finishing this book that the ending could have easily been reached without it. That said it was a great read. I enjoyed the suspense of who Lydia would choose and guessing who the mystery giver was.  It was also heart warming to see the relationship between Lydia and her mother change. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Rating

 

Steamy Rating

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

An Amish Love: Healing Hearts/What the Heart Sees/A Marriage of the Heart (Inspirational Amish Anthology by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Long

An Amish Love: Healing Hearts/What the Heart Sees/A Marriage of the Heart (Inspirational Amish Anthology

by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller Kelly Long

Goodreads Summery:

Two of today's most popular genres--Romance and Amish fiction--together in one volume.
"Healing Hearts" by Beth Wiseman: Levina Lapp and her husband Naaman are alone for the first time in 30 years. When Naaman left to visit cousins in Ohio, Levina wasn't expecting him to be gone a year. Now that he's back, will they be able to move beyond this estrangement and fall in love again?
"What the Heart Sees" by Kathleen Fuller: A tragic accident rocks a peaceful Amish community, leaving Ellie Chupp blinded and Christopher Bender's future shattered. But they find love and forgiveness in a place they least expect.
"A Marriage of the Heart" by Kelly Long: Rachel Yoder is tired of her Amish lifestyle and her domineering father's ways. When handsome Joseph Lambert comes back from the Englisch, she lies to force a marriage of convenience, providing the perfect means to escape her father's rule. But Rachel never imagined she'd fall in love with Joseph so quickly or irrevocably.  
 

The first story of the book was “A Marriage of the Heart”. Rachel lies to her father saying Joseph was inappropriate with her which leads to a rush wedding. It was a fun read and I really like the characters. It was fun to read as the two first disliked each other and then fell in love.

The second story was “What the Heart Sees”. Ellie was blinded in a car accident years ago and her best friend killed. Christopher was engaged to Ellie’s best friend and he was devastated and left the community and was shunned. He returns to find his sister engaged to the man he blames for his fiancé's death. Ellie helps him to forgive and they both find love along the way.

The third story “A Marriage of the Heart” I did not read. I read the first few pages and skimmed a few more but I was not interested in the story. What I did read of it was well written.

I really enjoyed the two stories I read. I had trouble putting the book down. I tend to not buy books where there are multiple stories because I am not sure I will like them all. But in this case I did enjoy two of the three and the third was just not one that I was interested in(older couple romance).

If you like Amish Fiction you will enjoy this book!


Book Rating

 

Steamy Rating

I received this paperback for free through BookSneeze for this review.

The Waiting (Lancaster County Secrets #2) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Goodreads Summery:

Jorie King's life is on hold. She has been waiting for Ben Zook to return to Lancaster County. Waiting for him to settle down and join the church. Waiting to marry him.
But when news arrives that Ben has been killed, Jorie is devastated. She finds unlikely comfort in the friendship of his brother Caleb. Friendship ripens into love, and two broken hearts plan for a life filled with the promise of a fresh beginning--until their worlds are turned upside down.
With her realistic characters whose weaknesses develop into strengths, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers a reading experience that rises above the others. You will love growing in spirit with these complex people living the simple life as The Waiting transports you into a world where things aren't as simple as they seem.

Jorie is next door neighbors to the Zook’s and is living with her grandparents and helping to run the horse farm. Ben Zook went off to the Vietnam War and Jorie is waiting on him to come home. Caleb is the oldest of the Zooks and has been running the farm since his parents died. Matthew is another brother and he ends up being called to work (Military service)at a hospital a few hours away. The youngest brother is Ephraim and he is finishing his 8th grade year. Caleb also has a daughter named Maggie. In the beginning of the book you also get to know Caleb’s first wife Mary Ann. Yeah there are a LOT of characters in this book!

I struggled to get into this book at first. I found it hard to get to know all the characters. I also disliked getting to know Caleb’s first wife and then being with her as she deals with a life changing illness. Once I got into it though I really enjoyed it. I did enjoy reading the story from so many different characters. Though I sometimes felt there could have easily been another book written just about Matthew himself!

As is in Suzanne’s style there where quite a few surprises which makes her books quite fun. I would highly recommend the 2nd book in this series.
I give it 4 stars.

I am looking forward to the 3rd book The Search due out January 1st 2011!

Murder in Plain Sight by Marta Perry

Goodreads Summery:

Did a sweet-faced Amish teenager brutally murder a young woman? To save her career, big-city lawyer Jessica Langdon is determined to defend him—against the community's bitter and even violent outrage. Yet without an understanding of Amish culture, Jessica must rely on arrogant businessman Trey Morgan, who has ties to the Amish community… and believes in the boy's guilt.
Jessica has threats coming from all sides: a local fanatic, stirred up by the biased publicity of the case; the dead girl's boyfriend; even from the person she's learned to trust the most, Trey Morgan. But just when Jessica fears she's placed her trust in the wrong man, Trey saves her life. And now they must both reach into a dangerous past to protect everyone's future—including their own.

I was very excited to read this book! I first read books from Marta Perry many years ago from the Love Inspired Line. I have only recently learned she has written other books not associated with that line and I was very excited to read them so I jumped at the chance to review her new book.
One of the many things I love about Marta Perry is her writing style. She is phenomenal at her descriptions. When I am reading her books I feel like I am right there in the book as I read.

Murder in Plain Sight opens with the death of an English girl and the blame is been put on a young Amish man. Jessica is sent from the big city to help the boy. At first it seems the boy is guilty but slowly things begin to happen that start to show things are not as they appear. Jessica is hired by a local family to help the boy. Trey is the son of the family and he does not want Jessica there. He is still dealing with the tragic suicide of his father and only wants to protect his mother even though his mother hired Jessica. Over time romance begins to bloom and more questions then answers begins to surface about this case.

I will say the climax was a little predictable. I kind of saw it coming. The ending leaves a lot of questions unanswered and will leave the reader excited for the next book in the series Vanish in Plain Sight due out Spring 2011!

I rate this book 4.5 stars

The climax of the story not being as surprising as I had expected is the only thing that keeps this just under 5. A great read! A must add to your reading list.


I received this Ebook for free through NetGalley for this review.

The Choice (Lancaster County Secrets, Book 1) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Goodreads Summery:
With a vibrant, fresh style Suzanne Woods Fisher brings readers into the world of a young Amish woman torn between following the man she loves--or joining the community of faith that sustains her, even as she questions some of the decisions of her elders. Her choice begins a torrent of change for her and her family, including a marriage of convenience to silent Daniel Miller. Both bring broken hearts into their arrangement--and secrets that have been held too long. Filled with gentle romance, The Choice opens the world of the Amish--their strong communities, their simple life, and their willingness to put each other first. Combined with Fisher's exceptional gift for character development, this novel, the first in a series, is a welcome reminder that it is never too late to find your way back to God.


My first response to this book after I finished was WOW! This book had more twists and turns then I ever expected! The book starts out with Carrie in love with Solomon. He is Amish but loves baseball and has been playing behind the back of his community. He gets drafted to play as a pitcher and wants Carrie to come with him. She wants to but days before they are set to leave a tragic even changes everything and she remains behind heartbroken. She ends up marring Daniel to get her and her brother out of the house because her stepmom treats them so badly. At this point you think the book is going to be about these two falling in love. Guess again .What happened next left me shocked. This book was truly a wonderful read. I was a little sad how many people died so early in this book. I kept fearing more where going to be killed! The characters in this book are so alive you really feel like your getting to know them.  I would highly recommend this book!
I give it 4.5 stars

The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars was a little disappointment in the change of love interests but it was a wonderful book. The next book in the series is The Waiting which I have read and will soon review as well.
The Steamy rating(1-5) is a 1.

A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman

Goodread’s overview: Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. As her time of rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and Annie has several important choices to make.
I really enjoyed this book. Annie left home because she was not content and while in Philadelphia she went to school to become a RN. She is working at a children’s hospital when she gets the call that her dad had been in a bad buggy accident and she goes home to take care of him. She does not tell anyone what she went to school for because she was worried what they would say. When she returns home her dads good friend also the Amish’s go to guy for medical issues is not so sure about Annie yet he can’t help be attracted to her.
     I found this book to be an easy read. I felt the story line was not hard to get into and I was sad when it came to an end. This is Vannetta Chapman’s first novel and I can’t wait to read more of her work.

I give it 5 stars