Mermaid Moon (A Sunset Cove Novel)

About The Book:  Mallory’s mother died fifteen years ago. But her father’s last words on the phone were unmistakable: “Find . . . mother.”  Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn’t have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point.  Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O’Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart—and left—without a word, years ago.  When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life—and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie—their search intensifies. There’s a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye.  As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

About The Author:  USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com Twitter: @colleencoble Facebook: colleencoblebooks

My Thoughts On The Book:  I am a huge fan of Colleen Coble and this book did not disappoint.  I loved it!  It is one of those that grabs you from the very beginning and does not let you go until the last word on the last page.  I could not put it down.  The story line is filled with nail-biting suspense, mystery with a dab of romance.  It was a thriller and such a pleasure to read a clean book without  violence, sex, and foul language.  I gave this to one of my church teens to read and she loved it too. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from  Net Galley, and Thomas Nelson as part of their Blogging Review program.   I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  

New England's Scariest Stories and Urban Legends

About the Book:  Journey through New England’s darkest places and read 22 of its scariest stories and urban legends. Explore mysterious cryptids like the Dover Demon, Pigman, the Sea Serpent of Gloucester, the Dublin Lake Monster, and the Derry Fairy. Meet Champ, the legendary lake monster of Lake Champlain, and a fisherman who found himself thirty feet from the beast. See the grave of Midnight Mary and the Desert of Maine, and judge for yourself if their curses are real. Try to walk with the Leather Man and wonder why he chooses to walk alone. Visit The House of the Seven Gables and The Shunned House, both famous in literature, and learn of ghosts that still linger there. Cross Emily’s Bridge in Vermont, creep over the alleged vampire Mercy Brown’s grave in Rhode Island, and more. New England promises to scare you!
About The Author(s)/Illustrator:  Cathy McManus is a lifelong Mainer. When not busy working as a computer technician; she spends much of her free time wandering cemeteries and old houses throughout New England. She's an avid researcher and photographer. Summer Paradis is a native New Englander. When not working in the paranormal, she is employed as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.  Wayne Bud Ridsdel has had a passion for art since he was a child, He completed seven years of study at Wakefield Art College in Yorkshire, UK. His career has been diverse and he has held positions in advertising design, point of sale advertising, print and graphic design.
My Thoughts On This Book:  As a fan of folklorist, Kathryn Tucker Windham and her 13 Ghosts series I thought this would be something along that line.  I enjoyed the stories for the most part.  I did not enjoy the way the book was put together.  It seemed like it was just thrown together.  I love to plan trips around odd things of interest.  My daughter and I have visited a few of these New England sites and really enjoyed ourselves so I was hoping for something more.  It was a good read, but not one that left me sitting on the edge of my seat.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley Publicity Group and Schiffer Publishing,  in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  Thank you for allowing me this opportunity.

Home Sweet Anywhere

About The Book:  An enchanting account of how one couple sold everything to fulfill a dream of living abroad-one country at a time.  Reunited in love after 35 years and suffering from a serious case of preretirement wanderlust, Lynne and Tim Martin made a life-altering decision: they sold their house and possessions and hit the road to live internationally full-time. Now tethered to nothing but their suitcases, each other, and their next exotic location, they've never looked back. From sky-high pyramids in Mexico to monkeys in Marrakech, this delightful, inspiring memoir is a romantic tale of derring-do for grown-ups and a road map for anyone who dreams of turning the idea of life abroad into a reality.

About The Author:  In 2011, Lynne and Tim sold theirr charming house in Central California’s wine country, gave away the furniture, and stuffed art, clothes and small treasures into a 10 x 15 storage unit. They said goodbye to their surprised children and quizzical friends and now they live in rented apartments and houses internationally, putting down new roots one country at a time. They have no property taxes, roof repairs or home insurance, so all of their spendable income is used to fund their new way of life. They do have small suitcases, an appetite for new experiences, good computers, and the savvy and flexibility to make ourselves at home in almost any situation.  They have lived in Mexico, Argentina. Turkey, France, Italy, England, Germany, Portugal, and Morocco and are currently living in a wonderful apartment near the famous Staten Island Ferry, a twenty-minute ferry ride from lower Manhattan,  while they promote Home Sweet Anywhere, Lynne's book about their adventures.  Thanks so much for looking in on their website.   They love to hear other peoples’ stories!!!

My Thoughts On The Book:  I will agree that Home Sweet Anywhere was enchanting.  This lengthy travel memoir was a little tedious from the beginning.  I was expecting more colorful tales and they just never came about.  Most of the book involved travel, living, grocery shopping, going out to eat.  I was impressed with the concept of what they did.   Not many people could sell everything they owned and country/continent hop for an extended period of time, but they did.  Lynne's husband Tim had quite a knack for details.  Yet, even with his intricate planning they still made mistakes and they handled them without throwing in the towel and returning home.  They lived their life to the fullest.  The epilogue of the book was entitled Postpone Nothing and they go on to say that the only thing they have postponed is feeling old.  The last few pages of the book give you some things that you won't find in a guidebook.  They were very helpful suggestions.  If someone is planning to live free then this is a good book to read to get a rough idea of what to expect.  It definitely is not something you do without a lot of thought and planning.
Disclaimer: This book was given to me to review by Net Galley Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review.  The thoughts are entirely my own.  Thank you for this opportunity.

 

The Amish Blacksmith

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: August 1st 2014 by Harvest House Publishers

About The Book:  New from bestselling authors Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner, The Amish Blacksmith (Book 2 in The Men of Lancaster County series) explores the men of an Amish community in Lancaster County, how their Amish beliefs play out in their unique roles, and the women who change their lives. Apprenticed blacksmith Jake Miller is skeptical of Priscilla Kinsinger's innate ability to soothe troubled horses, especially when he has own ideas on how to calm them. Six years earlier, Priscilla's mother died in an awful accident at home, and Priscilla's grief over losing her mother was so intense that she was sent to live with relatives in Indiana. She has just returned to Lancaster County. Not that her homecoming matters to Jake, who is interested in courting lighthearted Amanda Shetler. But Jake's boss is Priscilla's uncle, and when the man asks Jake to help his niece reconnect with community life, he has no choice but to do just that. Surprisingly, he finds himself slowly drawn to the beautiful but emotionally wounded Priscilla. Jake then determines to prove to her that it's not her fault her mother died, but what he discovers will challenge everything they both believe about the depth of love and the breadth of forgiveness.


About The Authors: 
Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of the inspirational Million Dollar Mysteries, the Smart Chick Mysteries, and three standalone mysteries, as well as the nonfiction books The House That Cleans Itself and A Pocket Guide to Amish Life. Her novels include A Penny for Your Thoughts, Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels , A Dime a Dozen, A Quarter for a Kiss, The Buck Stops Here, The Trouble with Tulip, Blind Dates Can Be Murder, Elementary, My Dear Watkins, Whispers of the Bayou, Shadows of Lancaster County, and Under the Cajun Moon, and other books! Mindy is also the author of numerous plays and musicals which have been performed all over the United States. She has written textbooks, articles, short stories, and more than 75 computer software manuals. Other writings appear in the anthologies What the Wind Picked Up (Inspirational Fiction), Death Knell V (Mystery Fiction), Divine Secrets of the Yahweh Sisterhood (Inspirational Anthology), and A Novel Idea (Inspirational Nonfiction). A former singer and stand-up comedian, Mindy lives with her husband and two teenage daughters near Valley Forge, PA. She enjoys speaking to churches, civic groups, and libraries across the country. Her unique blend of humor and insight make her an audience favorite.
Susan Meissner - In 1995, she was offered a job as a part-time reporter for mher county newspaper. The publisher gave her a weekly column, In 1998, she was named editor of the Mountain Lake/Butterfield Observer Advocate, the town’s weekly paper, after the county newspaper purchased it. She was honored to win several awards over the years, but the best part of her four years as editor was having my paper named the Best Weekly Newspaper in Minnesota by the Minnesota Newspaper Association in 2002.  That year became a rather pivotal one for her as a writer. Her beloved paternal grandfather died in July 2002 — her Papa — and his passing had a profound effect on her.  Suddenly she had an incredible urge to write a book; a novel. She knew she didn’t want to come to the end of her life having only dreamed of writing one. She resigned as editor of the newspaper, which was a very hard decision to make, and set out to write Why the Sky is Blue. It took four months to write and ten months to be accepted by a publisher and she's been writing novels ever since. Her favorite genre is contemporary fiction with a historical thread running through it.
Currently, her husband is an associate pastor at a church in San Diego, and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves. When she's not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing and dream-following, as well as spending time with her family, listening to or making music, reading great books, and traveling.


My Thoughts About The Book:   I love Amish fiction and found this novel to be delightful.  I will say it was a bit different from other Amish novels I have read.  If you don't pay close attention to the fact that they don't drive you might miss the fact that this is an Amish family and not just a rural family.  This novel is number two in a series but it stands alone.  I had no trouble reading through it without having read the first installment.  It is the story of an Amish blacksmith(and horse whisperer) who feels he is following God's will, that is until a girl from his past shows up.  While trying to help her he finds out that he could be the one who needs help.  I felt I was part of the story and learned a great deal about the horse world, blacksmithing, and show horses.  The novel was a bit slow at times but it was still a good read.  I loved the ending and seeing God's will being heard and followed.  I recommend this novel and series to anyone fond of Amish and/or Christian romances!

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE: I received an ebook copy of this title from Netgalley Publicity and Harvest House as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Somebody Like You

About The Book:  Can a young widow find love again with her husband’s reflection? Haley’s three-year marriage to Sam, an army medic, ends tragically when he’s killed in Afghanistan. Her attempts to create a new life for herself are ambushed when she arrives home one evening—and finds her husband waiting for her. Did the military make an unimaginable mistake when they told her Sam was killed?   Too late to make things right with his estranged twin brother, Stephen discovers Sam never told Haley about him. As Haley and Stephen navigate their fragile relation­ship, they are inexorably drawn to each other. How can they honor the memory of a man whose death brought them together—and whose ghost could drive them apart? Somebody Like You is a beautifully rendered, affecting novel, reminding us that while we can’t change the past, we have the choice to change the future and start anew.


About The Author:  Novelist Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she'd never write fiction. She's the wife of an Air Force physician (now in solo practice) who said she'd never marry a doctor -- or anyone in the military. She's a mom of four who said she'd never have kids. She's discovered that God's best often waits behind the doors marked "Never." Beth writes inspirational contemporary romance because she believes there's more to the happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their 10-year-old "caboose kiddo." She and her husband enjoy any time their adult children come by for game nights, BBQs or just to hang out.


My Thoughts About The Book:  I read and reviewed Beth Vogt’s first two novels and liked them very much. Somebody Like You is her best so far in my opinion.  It is a contemporary romance that deals with some touchy subjects.  Beth Vogt is great at character development and from the moment Haley opens her front door to see the reflection of her dead husband staring her in the face you will be hooked.  Vogt's characters may be fictional but they are so real that you feel as if you are a part of the action taking place.  I could not put the book down.   Be sure to have some Kleenex handy.  If you like romance, then definitely pick this one up. But if you are looking for a well-written novel that will make you think, laugh and cry, then Somebody Like You is a book I recommend!  It is an amazing story.


Disclaimer:  I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  Thanks guys for allowing me this opportunity.

Blossom Street Brides

About The Book:  #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber has won the hearts of millions of readers with her moving and inspiring stories. Now wedding bells are ringing in the tight-knit community that gathers around A Good Yarn, a store in a pretty Seattle neighborhood. Knitters come to the store to buy yarn and patterns but somehow they leave richer in friendship and love.
Lauren Elliott has waited years for her long-term boyfriend, Todd, to propose, yet he seems more focused on his career than their relationship. When Lauren learns that her younger sister is pregnant before she herself even has an engagement ring, she feels overjoyed yet disheartened. Knowing she can’t put her future on hold, Lauren prepares to make a bold choice—one that leads her to a man she never dreamed she’d meet.  Newly married to her second husband, Max, Bethanne Scranton is blissfully in love. But with Max’s job in California and Bethanne’s in Seattle, their long-distance marriage is becoming difficult to maintain. To complicate matters, Bethanne’s cunning ex will do anything to win her back.  Lydia Goetz, too, is wonderfully happy with her husband, Brad, though lately she worries about the future of A Good Yarn. As she considers how to bring in business, she discovers that someone has beaten her to the punch. Baskets of yarn are mysteriously popping up all over town, with instructions to knit a scarf for charity and bring it into Lydia’s store. Never before has her shop received so much attention, but who hatched this brilliant plan?  As three women’s lives intersect in unexpected ways, Lydia, Lauren, and Bethanne realize that love heals every heart, and the best surprises still lay ahead.
About The Author:  Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 170 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber's novels have spent over 750 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.  Eight of these novels hitting the number one spot
My Thoughts On The Book:  I started reading Debbie Macomber's books when a friend put one in my hand at a local book sale.  I loved it and was hooked.  I began her Blossom Street series when I decided to take up crocheting and began to have a fascination with yarns.  I  did not know until this book that Debbie Macomber not only writes novels, but is also a knitter and knitwear pattern designer. I have to be honest and say that this was not the best book I have ever read but it was enjoyable and it had a happy ending. I love the whole yarn shop connection of the book and that these ladies all weave in and out of each other's lives due to their love of knitting.  Each time I have read one of these books I have the urge to find a yarn shop in my neighborhood and connect with women like this.  I know it is fiction, but I feel it does happen when people come together with a common love.  I am delighted that I chose to I ordered and read this book.  I am waiting impatiently for her next book.
Disclaimer:  I received this book free from Net Galley Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  Thanks guys for allowing me this opportunity.

The Vinedresser's Notebook

 

About The Book:  Scripture is filled with images and stories of grapevines and vine tending. Yet few modern people have any idea of what that entails and the deep levels of symbolism that were intended in the Bible.  Written by a vinedresser, theologian, psychologist, and nun, this illustrated text centers on a visual meditation combined with short reflections about the spiritual life, extending the spiritual metaphor of the vineyard, the vinedresser, and Jesus’ teachings. The words are simple and few, the pictures clear and evocative, as much a part of the meditation as the text itself. In reading this book and understanding how the vines work and what the role of the vinedresser is, readers can explore more deeply what vine care means for their spiritual walk. The Vinedresser's Notebook can be used as 40-day devotional, in a group setting, or as an inspirational book.

About The Author:  Judith Sutera is a Benedictine sister of the monastery of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. She holds degrees in psychology and sociology, with a master's degree in counseling, and, in 1986, became one of the first women to receive a master's degree in monastic theology. A magazine editor and the author of several books, she is a director for oblates, teaches courses in monastic spirituality, and gives presentations, retreats, and workshops for monastic communities, academic conferences, formation groups, and retreat centers across the United States.

My Thoughts On The Book:  I loved this book and I am using it now as a 40 day devotional.  This is one of those books that you want in your library for a reference.  It was a great book to start at the beginning of Spring because of all the references to planting and newness in life. The sketches were amazing.   As a pastor I gleaned a good bit from the book that will help me in my ministry and in my life.    The most important lesson I took from the book was that we should always be cultivating and pruning in order to grow.  In my own vineyard called life sun and rain are necessary, but in order to have to perfect life harvest I have to put in hours of good labor, learn the lessons presented to me, and when I do this I will have sweet fruit in abundance.  A must read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book through Abingdon Press and Net Galley Publicity Group. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.* 

A Miracle of Hope

About The Book:  How far can God's mercy reach? Lindie Wyse is pregnant out of wedlock and thinks an arranged marriage is the only way to preserve her future. Josiah Plank is certain he'll never love again, but he needs someone to care for his eight-year-old daughter, Hannah. The two take on their arrangement tentatively at first but soon realize they are each in for more than they imagined.  Lindie experiences a breakthrough with Hannah when she recognizes Hannah's special gifts, but a risky pregnancy and serious health issues threaten to demolish the foundation Josiah and Lindie are building. Will their growing love survive despite their struggles, or will their hearts become as cold as the northern winter?

About The Author:  Ruth Reid  is a CBA and ECPA best-selling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She's a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life.




My Thoughts About The Book:  Ruth Reid is an excellent author and quite a wordsmith.  For an Amish story this book was different than what I expected it to be.  The shame Lindie experiences was heartbreaking.  The fact that this young Amish woman could be brutalized as she was, shamed by her own kind, and terrified for her family in a community that is supposed to be peaceful almost made me put the book down without ever reading it.  I am so glad I did not.  The power of love, the hope of a future, and the love of family is what this book is about.  The grace factor flows throughout the story as Lindie takes on the roll of wife, mother, and member of a new community.  I have read several of Ruth Reid's books and loved them all.  I believe this is my favorite.  The characters come to life on the page and I could not put the book down once I started reading it.  I felt as if I too lived in this Amish community and personally knew the characters.  If you love a good Amish story this book is for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing, Litfuse Publicity Group, and Net Galley.com.  I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*  Thanks guys for allowing me to review this book.

The Tattered Quilt

About The Book:  Join Emma Yoder Miller, the Amish widow-turned-newlywed, as she leads another quilting class with a new group of unlikely students, all with tattered pieces of their lives that need mending. Members of the patchwork group find friendship, faith, healing, and restoration while gathered around their quilts, under the Father’s guiding hands—for only He can take what’s ragged and shabby from the lives of His children and turn it into beauty for His glory.

About The Author:  Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 60 books with more than 7 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today. Wanda’s books have been translated into four foreign languages.

Wanda’s fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda’s desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

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

Wanda’s primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern “Englishers.” Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too.

My Thoughts About The Book: Wanda Brunstetter  is never a disappointment and has done it again.  She takes six people from all walks of life, throws them together to learn how to quilt.   Cheryl wants help with her grandmother's old quilt.  Carmen wants to learn about a rumschpringe for an article she is writing.  Terry is a roofer, Blaine is tricked into the class, Anna signed up by her mom to learn more about her Amish faith.  Selma was given the class to keep her busy.  Emma and Lamar have their work cut out for them that is for sure.  Eight people who have issues going on in their lives, six students and two teachers.  The book was a delight to read and I loved the ending.  I definitely did not see it coming and I love surprise endings.  I loved it! 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of these books from Barbour Publishing and Net Galley Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thanks guys for letting me have this chance!

The Christmas Wedding Quilt: Let It Snow/You Better Watch Out/Nine Ladies Dancing

 

About The Book:  A FAMILY'S GIFT - When they were young, cousins Ella, Rachel and Jo were always together at their family's lake house. As they grew up, though, they grew apart…until now, as the three must band together to grant a beloved aunt's dying wish: to finish the quilt she began as a gift for her daughter's Christmas wedding. Searching for vintage quilting fabric, independent Jo is reunited with the man she thought she'd marry—and proves that sometimes the second time's the charm….

 

About The Authors:  Emilie Richards’s many novels feature complex characterizations and in-depth explorations of social issues, a result of her training and experience as a family counselor, which contribute to her fascination with relationships of all kinds. Emilie, a mother of four, lives with her husband in northern Virginia, where she is currently working on her next novel for MIRA Books.

The author of more than seventy books for children and adults, Janice Kay Johnson writes about love and family - about the way generations connect and the power our earliest experiences have on us throughout life. A five time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA award, she won a RITA in 2008 for her Superromance novel Snowbound. A former librarian, Janice raised two daughters in a small town north of Seattle, Washington.

Sarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia. Ever since she learned to read and write she has wanted to be an author. She studied professional writing and literature before embarking on various writing-related jobs, working as a magazine editor and in various story-related roles on Australia's longest running serial drama, Neighbours. She inherited a love of romances from both her grandmothers and fulfilled her fondest wish when she was accepted for publication.

 

My Thoughts On The Book:  I love sappy stories with Christmas themes.  They are my downfall especially during the holiday season.  As a reviewer who comes from a long line of quilters this story just grabbed my heart. 

 

The first story was Let It Snow by Emilie Richards -   The heroine, Jo,  gets a package from her Aunt who died while she was out of the country on business. The aunt includes a note that asks  Jo if she will help her to help her finish her daughter's wedding quilt. She knows that she won't be around for her wedding.  Jo finds herself at the family cabin in Dec. She is going to search for scraps of material for her part of the quilt using the bride and groom's childhoods material...and her tapestry of life unfolds from there. 

The second tale, You Better Watch Out  is by Janice Kay Johnson.  This sweet story begins with a mega drama when another member of Jo's family, Ella, finds her car stolen with the quilt top in it.  The heroine had just finished her part of the quilt and was on her way to the post office to send  the beloved quilt on to the next quilter.  Running into Brett, while chasing after her car begins her humorous and at times dramatic part of her life tapestry. 

 

The last of the stories, Nine Ladies Dancing by Sarah Mayberry is about the final member of Jo's family, Rachel, and her assignment with the quilt and her story with Leo and his mother.  This story was a bit flat and did not seem to fully tell the story that could have been there.  There was a lot missing here.  Even the title seemed out of place.  I enjoyed the first two as quick, fun reads, but then this third one left me feeling deflated. 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of these books from Harlequin and Net Galley Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thanks guys for letting me have this chance!

 

 

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The Lighthouse Brides Collection

About The Book:  The exciting blend of adventure and romance makes each of these six novellas unforgettable as readers delight in the history of American lighthouses from Florida to Oregon, Massachusetts to Texas, North Carolina to Wisconsin and rejoice to watch lonely light keepers find love.  This is another book in the series of Brides Collection books from Barbour Books. This one is The Lighthouse Brides Collection, with combines six stories from six  authors. Each story setting is at one of six historical American lighthouses. The stories in this edition are:

When Love Awaits by Lynn A. Coleman with its lighthouse setting: Orcacoke, North Carolina 1825
Two weeks before hurricane season, one mighty powerful blows into Ocracoke along with a young Scottish man named Ian. Fiona is caring for the lighthouse lamp alone because her mother and father were in town getting supplies, unable to return before the storm breaks its fury loose. As time passes friendship and love begin to blossom between the lass and Ian, when her parents come home what does the future hold for this couple?
Phantom of My Heart by DiAnn Mills is set in Massachutes, 1845
Reading this adventure felt like more than a simple story, for it had many subplots which come together to present a wonderful tale. Lynette is a young grieving woman who is not looking for romance but just going though the daily motions. Now the town has hired a new lighthouse keeper, one who is not afraid of the ghost told about which inhabits the lighthouse walkway. Now there seems to be the threat of Lynette being arrested for murder, but what is the reason someone wants her off the island? What lure is there to bring such devious minds and acts to bring harm?
A Beacon in the Storm by Andrea Boeshaar has its setting in Wisconsin, 1868
Amanda and her mother have been tending the lighthouse for a long time, but now this season of Amanda’s life is coming to an end. There are competitors for the position of lighthouse keeper whose real intent for seeking such a position is unknown and highly speculative. Captain Cade along with his young daughter are giving up the sea, with Cade working in the grain business. With Amanda being only nineteen and unmarried what will the future hold for her, or Cade either?
Safe Harbor by Paige Winship Dooley is set in my homestate of Florida, 1883
Sailing across the ocean towards an unknown future Reagan is busy playing, keeping an eye on but quickly wearing out. Being below deck was too much for both the mother and daughter so the sailor who has taken their care to heart during the voyage, Joseph, sets them up inside a lifeboat to sleep. What happens next brings change to many lives.
Whispers Across the Blue by DiAnn Mills was set in Texas, 1875Jule is tending the lighthouse along with her brother and parents, she loved the sea she loved Mason more than anything. Since his proposal Jule has anticipated a long happy life with him, even though their social status were unequal. 
A Time to Love by Sally Laity  was set in Oregon, 1898
A woman wanting to fill the position of assistant lighthouse keeper was not usual, but Eden loved the job. Since becoming a widow with a young son to raise, she needed to be able to take care of him and their housekeeper Birdie. Dane had taken over the being captain since his brother drowned in order to pay off his brothers debts plus provide for his sister in law with four young children. What does the future hold for the two.
My Thoughts On The Book:  Since I love lighthouses and have always wanted to be a volunteer lighthouse keeper, I thought I would enjoy reading about the setting of each of these lighthouses. The details in each story of the area were interesting and the romance was heartwarming for each in its own way! I have to admit that the Lighthouse Brides Collection was disappointing in that each author seemed to just abruptly end the story and none of them seemed complete to me. 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Barbour Publishing and Net Galley.com.  I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Plain Peace

 

About The Book:  Anna's grandfather seems determined to ruin her Rumspringa . . . and any hopes she has of finding a husband.  Anna Byler should be enjoying her Rumspringa as allowed by her faith. But because of the strict rules enforced by her grandfather—the bishop—the available suitors in town are afraid to court her. Even Anna’s grandmother is keeping a big secret from Anna’s grandfather in an effort to keep the peace. Under her grandfather’s oppressive watch, Anna begins to feel her faith slipping and wonders if God has forsaken her.  Jacob Hostetler and his family have relocated to Lancaster County following a family tragedy in Ohio. As his family struggles to rebuild their lives, Jacob is forced to act as head of the household when his father is unable to cope with recent events. It’s been a long time since Jacob has felt any joy. Until he meets Anna Byler. But will Anna’s grandfather succeed at keeping them apart? And can Jacob put the past behind him and open his heart?

About The Author:  Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List. She was a recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013, three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, INSPY Award winner, and recipient of the coveted HOLT Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series--Seek Me With All Your Heart--was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing into the year 2015, and she has completed twelve novels and seven novellas to date.  As a former newspaper reporter, Beth was honored by her peers with eleven journalism awards, including first place news writing for The Texas Press Association. She has been a humor columnist for The 1960 Sun in Houston and published articles in various publications. However, writing novels is where her heart is. She left her job as a journalist in 2008 to write novels fulltime.  Beth has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of life, and while she plans to continue writing Amish love stories, she is also branching out into other areas. Her first non-Amish, contemporary--Need You Now--released in April 2012 and landed on the CBA Bestseller List. She enjoyed writing the story based in a town near where she lives, and she chose another small Texas town for her latest non-Amish contemporary--The House that Love Built--which is based in Smithville, the same quaint town where movies such as Hope Floats and Tree of Life were filmed.  In a daring new novel, Beth jumps way outside the box. The story she is currently working on will take readers far away from Amish Country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by a true story, Beth believes this is the book she's been working toward for a long time. Expect more information on this exciting novel soon!  Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying the country life in Texas with two dogs, two cats, four goats, two potbellied pigs, and a dozen chickens. When she's not writing, she loves to travel, paint, and enjoy time with friends and family. You can find Beth at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook where she interacts with readers or visit bethwiseman.com to learn more about Beth and her books.

My Thoughts On The Book:  Plain Peace is the latest novel in the Daughters of the Promise series by Beth Wiseman. I am a huge fan of Beth Wiseman.  It hate to pick up and read books in the middle of a series but this one is a stand alone.  The story is there whether you have read one....or all of the books.    The characters come to life on the pages of the book.  I found myself being drawn into the Amish world with Anna and Jacob.  I could not put this book down.  This is a tender story of life and how it influences the decisions we make and the people we become. The thing I love the most about Amish life stories is the deep feeling of family and the simplicity that seems to come with their lifestyle.  This is one of the first books that is heavy on English technologies being used  in Amish life.  I didn't find it out of balance in the story in any way.   It was a very accurate description of how the two worlds affect each other today.  If you are looking for an uplifting story, one to remind you of the value of family and being together this is it.  It was a sweet, quick,  and enjoyable read.
 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing and Net Galley.com. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.* Thank you for allowing me to participate in this review.

 

The Alaska Brides Collection

About The Book: In this beautiful story collection, five women determine to make their homes in the Alaska wilderness. From the gold rush, through a diphtheria epidemic, to the building of the Alcan Highway, their God-given stubbornness helps them overcome the challenges, but will it keep them from experiencing love?

About The Author(s): 
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy...with cowboys.  She is a Carol Award winner, and a Rita and Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist.  She is the author of bestselling Kincaid Brides Series: Out of Control, In Too Deep, Over the Edge. Her work also includes Lassoed in Texas Trilogy, Montana Marriages Trilogy and Sophie's Daughters Trilogy.
She also wrote Ten Plagues--a romantic thriller, and The Historical Society Murders--three cozy mysteries, under the name Mary Nealy.  Mary is married to a Nebraska rancher and has four grown daughters and two spectacular grandchildren.Visit her website at http://www.maryconnealy.com.

Cathy Marie Hake is a registered nurse who worked for many years in an oncology unit before shifting her focus to perinatal care. The author of over twenty novels, she lives with her husband and two children in Anaheim, California. Visit Cathy's Web site at www.cathymariehake.com.

Bestselling author Kathleen Y'Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee of fifty novels with more than one million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. A certified family law paralegal and former literary publicist, Kathleen has been nominated for a 2013 Career Achievement Award as well a Reader's Choice Award and several Top Picks by Romantic Times magazine.  A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and a former member of the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division, she is a proud military wife and an expatriate tenth-generation Texan cheering on her beloved Texas Aggies from north of the Red River.  To find out more about Kathleen or connect with her through social media, check out her website at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Tracie Peterson(Janelle Jamison) is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than eighty-five novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.  Visit Tracie's web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com

My Thoughts On The Book:  I am not a huge fan of anthologies, a drawback from college days. Yet, I am glad to have chosen this beautiful collection.  The Alaska Brides Collection is so much more than just a bunch of historical romances.  I have always wanted to go to Alaska and these stories just fueled the fire even more with their educational enlightenment of  Alaska.  I was hooked from the dog sleds to health outbreaks, the restriction of women at the time to how people handled the summer midnight sun. Every story made me wish I had lived there in the 1800's.  As it always goes with anthologies sometimes you will have a winner, sometimes you will have a solid good read, and other times you will read the last chapter and call it a day.  This anthology is no different.  I loved a couple, liked a couple and read the last chapter of one after trying to plod through it.  All in all I got a taste of several writers.  I liked a few and will avoid a few.  I would give this book a 3.5.  You will definitely find a winner in at least one.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Barbour Publishing and Net Galley.com.  I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.* Thank you for allowing me to participate in this review.

Mississippi Brides/Plantation Christmas Weddings

 

About The Book:  Head to Mississippi in a 3-in-1 collection of historical romances. . . . Alexandra Lewis’s life no longer makes sense. After her father’s death in a shootout, she feels pressure to carry out her duty to her family and wed, regardless of love. Abigail LeGrand won’t be hindered by marriage. Until she catches the eye of an itinerate preacher. Caroline Pierce never dreamed someone like Luke Talbot would propose. But the promise of marital bliss quickly turns to civil strife as they disagree on everything from slavery to faith. Can God change hearts before love drifts away with the river?

About The Authors:  Diane T. Ashley is a a “town girl” born and raised in central Mississippi. She has been employed for more than 20 years by the Mississippi House of Representatives, where she currently serves as Deputy Assistant Clerk. When she took over the care of her mother, after the sudden death of her father,she rediscovered a thirst for writing and was led to a class taught by best-selling author, Aaron McCarver. She and Aaron McCarver now collaborate on historical fiction novels set during some of the turning points in American history. Their Tennessee series covers three generations of families who struggle to find or strengthen their faith. The Mississippi series features some of the characters first introduced in our Tennessee series.  She is married to a wonderful man, Gene, who is a constant support in all of her endeavors. She accompanies him on "rockhounding" trips each year and loves wearing the jewelry he produces from the rocks he collects. He in turn allows her to peck away at the keyboard and has even been known to give her a phrase or idea that later appears in her stories.
Aaron McCarver is a transplanted Mississippian who was raised in the mountains near Dunlap, Tennessee. He loves his jobs of teaching at Belhaven University and editing for Barbour Publishing and Summerside Press. A member of ACFW, he is coauthor with Gilbert Morris of the bestselling series, The Spirit of Appalachia. He now coauthors with Diane Ashley on several historical series.

My Thoughts About The Book:  I am a lover of historical romances and I especially love stories that take place in the deep south.  This book was delightful.  From the beginning story about Alexandra Lewis to the final story about her granddaughter, Caroline Pierce each story was an attention getter.   The stories are a mixture of three of my favorite elements:  faith, love, and history.  Each story glorifies God and Christ as the characters find their spiritual way in life.  I am so looking forward to reading more from these two authors. 

 

 

About The Book:  ’Tis the season for romance as four hearts are rekindled with love. Everything a widow felt she knew about her life changes when she meets her daughter’s future father-in-law. A successful novelist seeking peace with her past finds it in a mansion and the eyes of a handsome history buff. The trap is set for a divorced couple to receive the best Christmas present ever—a second chance at love. After being jilted at the altar, a wedding planner gets reacquainted with her heart. Will jingle bells be wedding bells in four Plantation Christmas Weddings? 

 

About The Authors: 

Sylvia Barnes thought after retiring early as a manager for BellSouth, now AT&T, she would sit on a swing and drink coffee. However, she opened a gift shop/tea room for three years, served as a part-time court/deputy city clerk, and worked in her county's after school program before finding a yellow pad on which she formed her first novel. Sylvia teaches a Sunday School class and is active in many church activities. She and her husband, J. W., live in the country outside of Pelahatchie, Mississippi, with numerous dogs, cats, armadillos, and moles. And, of course,there was Fred, the possum, who came by his decease between the teeth of her two dogs. They have two grown daughters and three grandchildren.

Cynthia Leavelle - After a childhood of imagining herself as a writer, Cynthia thought of a story idea one day while rocking her first child. From that rough start, she has written a number of inspirational stories and devotionals and used them with her teaching and church groups. More recently, the idea for a novel about the love story of the Biblical characters of Salmon and Rahab took shape in her mind. That novel, The Cord published by Crossbooks, came out in October of 2010. Meanwhile, she has begun a sequel with the working title of Acsah and Othniel. Married for more than thirty years, her writing draws on lessons learned from raising her three sons and teaching English as a Second Language to international students.

Virginia Vaughan was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi and has never strayed far beyond those boarders. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include listening to 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.
​After marriage, two kids, and a bitter divorce, Virginia realized her characters needed the same thing she needed--the loving grace of Jesus Christ. She devoted her life and her writing to His glory and has since watched God swing open doors for her to walk through.  Now a mother of two grown sons and one daughter-in-law, she writes and speaks about the healing grace and restoration power of Jesus Christ.  "If Christ can restore himself from the grave then he can surely restore me from the choices I've made."

Lorraine Beatty was born and raised in Ohio but now calls Mississippi home. She started writing stories for friends in middle school and never stopped.

 

My Thoughts On The Book:  This four-in-one set delighted my senses beginning with CHRISTMAS at DUNLEITH by Sylvia Barnes. Beau Burnham,a large, rugged, handsome, praying "redneck" farmer meets his son's soon to be mother-in-law. Marilyn McLemore is  an also-widowed, swanky, Denver lawyer. Their kids are betrothed, so the two put on the family face and survive the ordeal on Christmas Eve.  Sparks fly as the story unfolds.  What a wonderful story of faith, prayer, love, and history.   Story number two is CHRISTMAS at LONGWOOD by Cynthia Leavelle. Rejections in life can leave lasting hurt. Meredith, a KS bestselling author, and Gary, a history teacher in their old HS, both suffer from school trauma. When the two meet again the reader wonders if their adult Christian lifestyles and faiths  will help them overcome their hurtful past.  Can the history of Longwood be a tie that binds?  This story was one of my most favorite.  The history of Longwood and the mending of hurt feelings really captivated me and touched a nerve hidden deep from my own high school years.  The third story was CHRISTMAS at BRANDON HALL by Virginia Vaughan.
Devon's sister's Christmas wedding at Brandon Hall appeared to be the needed opportunity for Sandra to serve Devon with divorce papers so they could end their twenty year marriage. Weddings are about love, and Sandra struggled with the feelings of LOVE for Devon and anger towards him.  Devon's family and  their college-age twins put on match-maker disguises and try and show the two that they belong together.  This is a touching story of God's intervention in what could be the biggest mistake the two would ever make.    The last story is my other favorite.  CHRISTMAS at MONMOUTH by Lorraine Beatty is about a Wedding Planner with the unusual name of  Wreath.  Our  heroine suffered from a past love wound.  When Micah, a ghost from her past, reenters her world, like changes drastically for Wreath. It is a Monmouth task to put sparkle into the Christmas.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of these books from Barbour Books and Net Galley Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thanks guys for letting me have this chance!

Temptation Bay

 

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Anna Sullivan brings us the first book in her witty new contemporary romance series set off the coast of Maine. TEMPTATION NEVER TASTED SO SWEET . . . Maggie Solomon has always been one of Windfall Island's favorite daughters. A beautiful, passionate charter pilot who loves this remote Maine island, Maggie has never cared much for outsiders-until her latest passenger arouses the curiosity of the town . . . and something hot and irresistible in Maggie. With his long, lean looks and razor-sharp wit, the man is temptation itself.  Cop-turned-PI Dexter Keegan is on a covert mission to solve the case that will make his career: uncovering the identity of the Stanhope heir, kidnapped nearly a century ago. No one on this fiercely protective island can know what he's doing, not even the spirited, blue-eyed beauty who infuriates-and excites-Dex. As the desire between them ignites, Maggie becomes the key to the case . . . and the target of an unknown enemy. Now Dex will do anything to protect the woman he's come to love-even risk his own life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Anna Sullivan was born and raised in southeastern Michigan, the seventh of nine children, whose claim to fame was reading five books a week in grade school. Needless to say, her obsession with the written word only grew from there-despite a short, and misguided, foray into the world of computer science (the 'sensible' job path). She still lives in Michigan, with her husband, three children and two dogs whose life of leisure she envies but would never be able to pull off.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:  I enjoyed reading this book. It has an good story with a wicked suspense element and I am looking forward to seeing just where it goes in the next book.  I wouldn't call this book a cliffhanger not all of the mystery is solved in this story. Maggie, the heroine is my only problem with this book is the heroine. She was  abrasive and I am not really sure how Dex managed to have ANY feelings for her.  Even though she was not one of my favorite characters that does not remove the fact that Dex and Maggie did have some pretty spectacular chemistry. I think I would have liked to see a little more tenderness and a little less spark.  I am looking forward to the next book which will be the story of Jessie and Hold.

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE: I received an paperback copy of this title from Netgalley as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thanks guys for letting me read this and participate!

The Outcast

 

 

About The Book:  Raised in an Old Order Mennonite community, Rachel Stoltzfus is a strong-willed single woman, content living apart from mainstream society until whispers stir the moment her belly swells with new life. Refusing to repent and name the partner in her sin, Rachel feels the wrath of the religious sect as she is shunned by those she loves most. She is eventually coerced into leaving by her brother-in-law, the bishop. But secrets run deep in this cloistered community, and the bishop is hiding some of his own, threatening his conscience and his very soul. When the life of Rachel’s baby is at stake, however, choices must be made that will bring the darkness to light, forever changing the lives of those who call Copper Creek home.  To view the first chapter, follow this link to Tyndale’s website, where you can download the PDF.

About The Author:  Jolina Petersheim was born in the heart of Amish country. While her family moved to Tennessee when she was only three years old, her childhood was filled with stories of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors hiding TVs from bishops and concealing permed hair beneath kapps. But this unique heritage did not interest her. Instead, she pouted as her mother divided her waist-length hair into plaits and then forced her to change from purple overalls into a jean skirt and sneakers in preparation to visit our Plain friends—knowing, even at the tender age of six, that this combination was a fashion faux pas. Playing Hide ‘n’ Seek or Kick the Can with her Old Order Mennonite peers, however, she soon became grateful for that skirt, which helped her transition from Southern Englischer to intimate friend.  In the autumn of 2008, she married a broad-shouldered, hazel-eyed Dutchman.  Upon moving into the haus her husband built with determination and his own two hands, she began to write a fictionalized version of a story that had once been told to her. A story regarding the power of desire and the reverberating cost if that desire is left unchecked; a story that, shockingly enough, took place in an idyllic Old Order Mennonite community.  In Nashville, she was introduced to a genial, white-haired man who was as excited to hear her Dutchy last name as she had been to hear his. This gentleman had attended the same Mennonite high school as her father (and her husband’s father) and, as a literary agent, he was interested to read the portion of the story that she had completed.  He read the first twenty-five thousand words while flying home from a book festival in Brazil and wanted to read more. Two months after the birth of their daughter, Tyndale House accepted the manuscript, as they were as excited to promote her modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter.

My Thoughts About The Book:  This book was a good bit different from most of the Amish life and romance books I have read.  The retelling of The Scarlet Letter Amish style was very interesting.  I enjoyed every minute of the book and hated to see it end. In the beginning I wasn't sure if this type of book would be for me, but the characters are wonderfully developed and I found myself lost in their world. This wonderful book is all about love and forgiveness. I would highly recommend this book to Scarlett Letter fans looking for a modern retelling, or anyone who wants a good read! 

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE: I received an paperback copy of this title from Tyndale Publishing and Netgalley Publishing as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thanks guys for letting me read this and participate!

Delectable

 

 

About the Book:  Montana real estate agent Quint McCoy will tell you that the most important thing is location, location, location. It's a lesson he learns all too well when he goes incommunicado for a four-week fishing trip to Alaska. While he's away, his mother Molly turns his office into the pie shop she has always dreamed of, Big Sky Pie. But that's not the only surprise in store for him.  On her way out of town, Callee McCoy only wants to say a fond farewell to her beloved mother-in-law. But Molly soon persuades Callee to stay and lend a hand at the new shop, even if it means heating up the kitchen with her soon-to-be ex. As Callee and Quint rediscover their recipe for love, they realize that some couples are so sinfully good together that one delectable taste is never enough . . .

About The Author:  Adianne Lee lives with her husband of many, many years on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in Washington State in a pole barn building her husband transformed into an upstairs apartment with a shop below for his hot rods.  Adrianne creates her stories on her laptop, in her recliner with her adopted cat, Spooky, curled between her calves, snoozing.  over thirty years of summer vacationing in the Flathead Lake are near Kalispell and Glacier Park has given her a love for all things Montana.

My Thoughts About The Book:  I liked this book.  The story about a couple who were struggling in their marriage, who knew little about each other, who still loved each other, and the establishment of the Big Sky Pie Company was fun.  It was a light and easy read.  If you want something to read in one sitting that does not require a lot of effort than this is the book for you. 

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE: I received an paperback copy of this title from net Galley Publicity Group  as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thanks guys for letting me read this and participate!

A Weaver Beginning

ABOUT THE BOOK:  USA TODAY bestselling author Allison Leigh introduces readers to a reluctant hero—and the woman who just might heal his wounded heart—in this newest addition to her popular miniseries, Return to the Double C! Small town deputy Sloan McCray was making amends for his past. They called him a hero but only he had to live with the difficult choices he'd made. And he certainly wasn't prepared to fall in love again, not even with his beautiful—and innocent—new neighbor, whose very presence was a balm to his troubled soul.  There was no doubt in Abby Marcum's mind that Sloan was the guy for her. Though she'd moved to Weaver, Wyoming, to make a better life for her little brother, she saw her future with Sloan. Now she had to convince the man who felt unworthy of love that she and her heart were his for the asking….

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  A frequent name on bestseller lists, Allison Leigh's highpoint as a writer is hearing from readers that they laughed, cried or lost sleep while reading her books. She credits her family with great patience for the time she's parked at her computer, and for blessing her with the kind of love she wants her readers to share with the characters living in the pages of her books. Contact her at www.allisonleigh.com

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:  A Weaver Beginning was an extremely charming easy to read romance. I adored the characters, the town, the Weavers themselves. Being from a  small town the plot of small town life was familiar and comfortable. The hero of the story, Sloan McCray was a little larger than life and struggling with what he plans to do next. His twin sister wants him to stay in Weaver. This law man is dealing with a lot of issues about his memories, his past, and his guilt. Abby Marcum has just moved too Weaver with her young brother on New Years eve.  Her heat is not working, there is a ton of snow in her driveway, and she and her brother are trying unpack the car and settle in. Twenty-three year old Abby is going to be the new school nurse. Dillon, her seven year old half brother is being raised by his sister.  He is shy and afraid when he meets new people.  The three begin a relationship that made me smile.  It was a sweet read and I completed the book in a day. 

DISCLAIMER:  I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when done by Netgalley Publishing Group and Harlequin Publishers.  Thank you for giving me the chance to read this book.
4 STARS

A Weaver Beginning was a charming romance. I liked the characters, the town, the Weaver family. The plot was small town life. It did have two love scenes that I skipped over.

Sloan McCray has spent the year in Weaver and is not sure what he plans to do next. His twin wants him to stay in Weaver. He does not see himself as a hero. As a hard time dealing with his memories and guilt.

Abby Marcum has just moved too Weaver with her young brother on New Years eve. The house she bought heat is not working. Their is lots of snow in driveway as she tries to unpack her car. She is 23 and the new school nurse who will start in a few days.

Dillon is her 7 year old half brother that she has raised for the past two years. He is cute but really shy. He is afraid when he sees the stranger with snow shovel coming over from next door.

Sloan helps her carry stuff inn and when he realizes that the house is cold and that she plans to heat with fireplace till after the holidays. He brings her wood starts the fire, shovels the driveway for her before he tells her who he is. A sheriff deputy who was in the news for getting biker gang busted up working undercover deep undercover.

Dillon takes to his neighbor when he finds out he has a badge and gun.

I smiled a lot reading this story. Dillon is cute and can really say the wrong thing at the wrong time as all kids tend to do sometimes.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when done by Netgalley and Harlequin.
publication: September 17th 2013 by Harlequin Special Edition 224 pages ISBN 0373657706 (less)