A Cousin's Promise by Wanda Brunstetter

Book Description

When a horrific accident cripples Wayne Lambright, he finds it difficult enough to take care of himself, much less Loraine Miller, his future bride. Will he sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life? Having already been jilted once, Loraine is terrified of yet another rejection. But does she love Wayne enough to marry him, for better or worse? When her old boyfriend Jake Beechy returns from exploring the English world, he hopes Loraine will give him another chance. 

Will she renew their love or wed Wayne as promised? How will God work to give Loraine the desires of her heart.

My thoughts:

I read this book in December 2014 but read again recently when I was going through some of my older books.  I have been a fan of this author for quite some time and this series was one of my favorites.

The story moves a great pace and the characters are well developed as I have come to expect from Ms. Brunstetter.  The decision  made by the group of friends to go to an amusement ends in tragedy as the vehicle they are in is involved in a terrible accident which leaves one of the crippled.  The troy follows his recovery and how he deal with his new way of life is realistic and heartbreaking at the same time.

Overall, I found this novel to be one worth reading once again.  

Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything by John Perritt

Book Description

With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him?

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him?

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him?

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him? 

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.

My thoughts:

A nice study guide of the Gospel of Mark geared towards young adults.  I'm certainly not a young adult but felt this would be a nice edition to have in my collection.  I don't normally read too much  nonfiction but found this fairly interesting and recommend it to other readers of all ages. 

If you are a parent or person who works with young adults then this would be a great study to share with a your child or youth group.

I received a copy through Netgalley.  Opinions expressed are my own.

Deadly Christmas Pretense (Roughwater Ranch Cowboys #2) by Dana Mentink

Book Description

A cowboy to her rescue…

but she’s not who he thinks she is.

Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected. Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in? A cowboy to her rescue…

but she’s not who he thinks she is.

Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected.

Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in? 

My thoughts:

What a page turner Deadly Christmas Pretense is.  I seriously had a hard time putting this book down because I didn't want to miss out on one single detail in this suspenseful novel.  I knew the action would still be there if I stopped reading but I just kept getting pulled into the storyline. Ms. Mentink has a way of doing that in every book that I read of hers.

Liam Pike is the perfect hero for Maggie Lofton, even if she doesn't realize it at first but you cant really blame her for keeping her distance from him as she pretends to be her twin sister, sinceis he is her twins ex-boyfriend.  I absolutely loved this storyline and the wonderful characters.  

There's enough action and suspense to hold your interest throughout this fast paced, and wonderfully written book.  I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Seconds to Live (Homeland Heroes #1) by Susan Sleeman

Book Description

When cybercriminals hack into the U.S. Marshal's Witness Protection database and auction off personal details to the highest bidder, FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. 

Trouble is, he has to work with U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, who knows the secrets of his past, and  the seconds are ticking down before someone dies.

My thoughts:

Seconds to Live the first book in the Homeland Heroes series by Ms. Sleeman is a fantastic read. The novel is fast-paced and action packed. The premise of hacking into the Witness Protection database, though frightening to imagine was incredibly interesting and held my attention throughout.  

Taylor Mills and Sean Nichols had been communicating with each other online which I thought was a nice touch and helped explain their friendship which seems plausible given their  careers.  I can easily imagine how they would have had that interaction and made their face to face meeting natural and less awkward.  It made their attraction to each other believable because of their communication with each other.

I loved seeing different agencies working together to protect witnesses and to find who the hacker is. There is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into what they do to keep us safe. 

Overall, Seconds to Live is an interesting, suspenseful  novel that I really enjoyed and recommend to readers  of this genre. I look forward to the next book in the series to find out what's in store for the Homeland Heroes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Secrets of Willow Springs -Book2 by Tracy Fredrychowski

Book Synopsis

After spending sixteen years in prison, Marie Cooper is forced to return to Sugarcreek, deep in Amish Country. Forced to take the only job available to her, she finds herself working for wealthy Nathan Bouteright. As her late husband’s memory continues to follow her, who will hold the key to unlock so many unanswered questions about her past? Will she be able to help Emma and Daniel come to terms with who they are, and can they forgive the one person who played God with their lives?

When Marie struggles to get Nathan to trust her, will it be his four-year-old son Amos who shows them there is more to a person than what is on the outside? Or, will a letter from her deceased mother help her find her way back to her faith and the exact place she dropped her thread of obedience?

My thoughts:

Tracy Fredrychowski is a new to me author and I couldn't be more pleased to have read this book.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Marie Cooper and her estranged children. It's certainly different than some other Amish fiction that I have read which is why I enjoyed it so much.

The author gave her characters real challenges in their lives, a mother who is released from prison after 16 years, who is forced to live and find work in an Amish community all the while tying to reconcile with her children.

What I loved about this book is the grittier storyline, the thought that all of us lived charmed , perfect lives with no problems is silly so I was happy to see this Amish community reactions to Marie's presence.  Nathan had an especially difficult time having her in his home and caring for his family which seemed to ring true to me.  I know that I would share his feelings at first until I became more comfortable with the situation.

I was surprised by the twists but that's the purpose of them, right? I was not surprised by how much I enjoyed this well-paced, well-written novel and look forward to more of this authors work.  I loved the characters, the storyline and the lovely setting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.

The Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck

Book Description

December comes to quaint Hearts Bend, Tennessee, with a blanket of white and the glitter of Christmas lights.

For JoJo Castle there is no place like home. Her onetime love of adventure ended when her life in the big city came crashing down. Now that she’s home, she never wants to leave again.

Country music sensation Buck Mathews has charmed the world with his smile and his music. However, news of his mother’s illness brought him home to Hearts Bend for the holiday season.

Working with her cousin Haley in The Wedding Shop, JoJo has no aspirations of love. But when her high school crush returns to town, her buried feelings surface.

Busy with his career, Buck hasn’t had time for family and friends, much less love. Seeing JoJo in The Wedding Shop reminds him there are things more important than his career.

But JoJo and Buck have opposing life goals, and there’s no middle ground. Can love, especially the kind that touches hearts at Christmas, overcome her fears and his quest for greatness?

With the help of a very special wedding dress, there just might a Christmas miracle.

My thoughts:

This is a charming novella that I read in one afternoon.  If you have read the previous books, you will be familiar with the dress, the old battered trunk and the brides from different eras.  This time the bride is JoJo Castle, a young lady who definitely is in no hurry to walk down the aisle.  

My favorite character in this book is Buck Matthews, he is career oriented until he realizes there are more important things in life, then he became family oriented and that's when I truly liked him. I loved the Christmas spirit in the town more than any one characters because that made the story more interesting and believable. 

Overall, a relaxing read and fun way to spend an afternoon.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

December comes to quaint Hearts Bend, Tennessee, with a blanket of white and the glitter of Christmas lights.

For JoJo Castle there is no place like home. Her onetime love of adventure ended when her life in the big city came crashing down. Now that she’s home, she never wants to leave again.

Country music sensation Buck Mathews has charmed the world with his smile and his music. However, news of his mother’s illness brought him home to Hearts Bend for the holiday season.

Working with her cousin Haley in The Wedding Shop, JoJo has no aspirations of love. But when her high school crush returns to town, her buried feelings surface.

Busy with his career, Buck hasn’t had time for family and friends, much less love. Seeing JoJo in The Wedding Shop reminds him there are things more important than his career.

But JoJo and Buck have opposing life goals, and there’s no middle ground. Can love, especially the kind that touches hearts at Christmas, overcome her fears and his quest for greatness?

With the help of a very special wedding dress, there just might a Christmas miracle.

The More the Merrier by Merrier: An Amish Christmas Romance by Linda Byler

Book Description

From beloved Amish writer Linda Byler, comes a heartwarming Christmas romance set during the Great Depression.

It’s 1931, and times are tough for the Miller family, who are raising eight children in the midst of the Great Depression. When Eli Miller passes away unexpectedly, and then a fire destroys their barn, Annie has no idea how she’ll make ends meet. The Amish community rallies around her and the children, as is their custom, but as days turn into weeks and then into months, Annie’s friends and neighbors return to their own routines and seem to expect Annie to do the same. Annie knows she needs to stay strong for the children and figure out a way to keep everyone warm and clothed and fed, but she is heartbroken and exhausted. She reminds herself that God will provide, but every day feels like an uphill battle.

When Annie receives a letter from a widower with six children of his own, she tries to put it out of her mind. Her critical mother reminds her that it's too soon to start a new friendship with a man, and warns her that blending a family will be complicated. In the weeks and months to follow, Annie must learn to make her own decisions—and accept the consequences, good and bad—face her past, and embark on a new journey that will transform her and her large, complicated family. When life seems especially complicated one summer, she finds herself saying that by Christmas everything will start to come together, but she has no idea the challenges—and ultimately blessings—headed her way.

My thoughts:

Set during the Great Depression this is the heartbreaking story of Annie Miller and her 8 children who are trying to survive on their meager food supply which isn't an unusual storyline for that time in history but this story really made me sad.  Maybe it was reading it before Christmas that made me feel for the widow and her daily struggles to provide enough food for her family.

Then she meets widower Eli who is raising 6 children of his own and who thinks it would be a good idea to blend their families.  They have their work cut out for them after they marry and all live together. Of course there are some cute, sweet moments but there are bouts of jealousy, misunderstandings  but with love, patience and a lot of prayer, they can  be come the family they have needed.

What starts out to be heartbreaking ended up to be very heartwarming.  I enjoyed this quick read.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

NIV Beautiful World Coloring Bible for Girls Review +Giveaway

Created especially for girls ages 8 to 12, this beautiful Bible provides ample space for young artists to express themselves through coloring and journaling. Girls can get creative with the detailed, ready-to-color line art surrounding the hundreds of inspiring verses in the NIV Beautiful Word™ Coloring Bible for Girls. This Bible is a perfect gift for a special young girl in your life and will become a cherished keepsake full of personalized creative expressions of faith. Features include: Hundreds of verses illustrated in ready-to-color line art Thicker white paper for enduring note-taking Lined, wide margins for notes, reflections and art Complete text of the accurate, readable and clear New International Version (NIV) Easy-to-read black letter text in single-column format Lays flat in your hand or on your desk Ribbon marker Beautifully designed Leathersoft-over-board cover featuring screen-printing and other cover embellishments 8-point type size Using the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV) text makes the Bible accessible and easy-to-read for kids. The NIV is the result of over 50 years of work by the Committee on Bible Translation, who oversee the efforts of many contributing scholars. Representing the spectrum of evangelicalism, the translators come from a wide range of denominations and various countries and continually review new research to ensure the NIV remains at the forefront of accessibility, relevance, and authority. Every NIV Bible that is purchased helps Biblica translate and give Bibles to people in need around the world. My thoughts: I have been curious about a coloring Bible after seeing photos shared on social media but I never considered just how wonderful and beautiful it can truly be.  This Bible proved just how wrong I was and how perfect it is for a young girl to not only read the word but to color as she studies the Bible either on her own or sharing her creativity and knowledge with her family and friends. This is one of the most beautiful Bibles I have ever seen. If you or a loved one happen to be looking for a special gift for a special young lady, this is just perfect for a meaningful and thoughtful gift. I received a copy of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls from Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing) for this review. This post is sponsored by Zondervan Download Free Coloring Pages CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson

On tour with Prism Book Tours

The Dating Charade

 by Melissa Ferguson

Contemporary Romance, Fiction

Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 316 pages

December 3,2019 by Thomas Nelson

Just when you think you’ve met your match . . . the charade begins

Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband—and children—altogether.

But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game

No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—each—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?

Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.

Goodreads     Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Book Depository     TNZ Fiction

My thoughts:

The Dating Charade is a super cute, fast paced and fun read. I knew that this was a debut novel when I started reading it but it certainly doesn't seem like a debut novel at all, it reads as a novel penned by a more experienced author, so kudos to Ms. Ferguson for that. 

Cassie and Jett are both sweet, caring and selfless characters, as evidenced throughout the story. Yes, there are some funny moments mixed in with online dating, escape plans and  the advice of some well meaning characters but what really got to me was the children and how they became an important part of the story and ultimately to Cassie and Jett.  It's heartbreaking while being heartwarming at the same time.  I commend the author for her sensitivity in the telling of this story. I loved all of the characters from the youngest to the eldest.  I chuckled, got a little choked up but feeling different emotions is what I love when reading a novel.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  Opinions expressed are completely my own.

About the Author

Melissa Ferguson is an adjunct professor for Bible and religion at King University. She lives in the charming town of Bristol, Tennessee, with her husband, twin toddlers, and baby girl.

She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now her hobbies include admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" en route to the library

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Abraham (The Petersheim Brothers #2) by Jennifer Beckstrand

About the book

Known as "The Peanut Butter Brothers" for their Wisconsin family business, hardworking Andrew, Abraham, and Austin Petersheim have their plates too full for romance--until their little siblings decide to play matchmaker . . .

With their house full to bursting since Mammi and Dawdi moved back in, the Petersheim twins know the only way to get their bedroom back is to get their older brothers married off. But Abraham is so shy, he'll barely speak to girls. Still, they've noticed how he looks at Emma Wengerd at church. Emma is so talkative, Abraham's quiet ways wouldn't matter a bit. Soon, the boys have hatched a scheme that sends Abraham right to Emma's
door--and her chicken coop . . .

Abraham doubts that pretty, popular Emma would be interested in him. Yet when he finds himself by her side, having to straighten out the twins' mischief--more than once--he can't help imagining a future with her. And the more time they spend together, the more Abraham realizes that perhaps no matter how many boys buzz around Emma, with faith, it's only the right one that counts . . .

My thoughts:

My favorite twins are at again in the second book in The Petersheim Brothers series by Jennifer Beckstrand. The twins are livid about having to sleep in the cellar and slightly afraid down there but when your home is filled with family and limited bedrooms, they have no choice.  They have reached the conclusion if there are fewer people needing a room, they will eventually  get theirs back, so the plans begin to marry off their older brothers.

The hilarity begins again when the boys decide to find Abraham a wife, it worked with Andrew so why not try again?  So, Alfie and Benjie  spring into action and try their  hands at matchmaking once more by setting up the shy Abraham with the popular Emma.  The twins plans always seem to go awry and so far have included their funny neighbor Bitsy, animals and their unwitting Dawdi.

The adventure the twins go on to help their brother find true love and getting themselves out of their cellar bedroom is quite entertaining with several laugh out loud moments. 

I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for her readers next and if the twins will finally get out of that scary old cellar.  Ms. Beckstrand has quickly become one of my must read authors because I love her humorous writing, lovable characters and her books are always suitable for readers of all ages. 

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

Misleading Miss Verity(Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley #3) by Carolyn Miller

Book Synopsis

Verity Hatherleigh has a mind of her own—but her actions do not impress her viscount papa. When she gets into one scrape too many, he sends her off to the wilds of Scotland to rethink her headstrong ways.

Anthony Jardine relished his role as curate, but his new duties as laird of Dungally aren’t always to his liking. Though he thought his new inheritance would be a blessing, somehow he’s finding nothing but trouble on these estates. And the intelligent, compassionate, feisty lass who was sent to rusticate in his territory is one of the biggest problems. He’s falling in love with her, but she doesn’t share the faith that’s his foundation—not to mention he’s been lying to her about who he really is. For the truth-loving Verity, that may be unforgivable.

The tangled web these two have woven may spell disaster for their happiness—and for the tenants of Dungally.Verity Hatherleigh has a mind of her own—but her actions do not impress her viscount papa. When she gets into one scrape too many, he sends her off to the wilds of Scotland to rethink her headstrong ways.

Anthony Jardine relished his role as curate, but his new duties as laird of Dungally aren’t always to his liking. Though he thought his new inheritance would be a blessing, somehow he’s finding nothing but trouble on these estates. And the intelligent, compassionate, feisty lass who was sent to rusticate in his territory is one of the biggest problems. He’s falling in love with her, but she doesn’t share the faith that’s his foundation—not to mention he’s been lying to her about who he really is. For the truth-loving Verity, that may be unforgivable.

The tangled web these two have woven may spell disaster for their happiness—and for the tenants of Dungally.

My thoughts:


I absolutely loved Misleading Miss Verity.  From start to finish this book held my interest throughout.  There’s never a dull moment when Verity Hatherleigh is around much to the chagrin of her father who sends her off to Scotland.


Verity is my favorite character in this novel because she’s a bundle of fun and energy which is an interesting contrast to Anthony Jardine.  He has responsibilities far greater than Verity realizes and I loved seeing him accept and grow into his role.   As a reader I love seeing the growth and maturity of characters which I got in this novel.

Everything about this well written and well-paced novel made it a joy to read.
I have loved this series and am sorry to say goodbye to the Daughters of Aynsley but I know that I will revisit them when I reread the three books so artfully crafted by Ms. Miller.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

The Major's Daughter(Fort Reno #3) by Regina Jennings

Book Synopsis

Caroline Adams returns to Indian Territory craving adventure after tiring of society life. When she comes across swaggering outlaw Frisco Smith, his dreams to obtain a piece of property on the Unassigned Lands are very persuasive. 

When the gun sounds, they find themselves battling over a claim--and both dig in their heels.

My thoughts:

The Fort Reno series is one of my all time favorite series and as sad as I am to see it end, The Major's Daughter is a fantastic conclusion.  Ms. Jennings always pulls me into her story and she has made me laugh several times while reading her novels. She doesn't disappoint in this one.

I absolutely adored Carolyn Adams, she is no shrinking violet that's for sure, in fact she is quite the opposite.  She knows what she wants and she is bound and determined  to get it. I always admire a spunky. hard working lady and Carolyn is the epitomizes  that.  I was surprised that she would be one of the many people participating in the land run but rooted for her success, even though I was sad for Frisco Smith who also wanted the land that went to Carolyn. I found Frisco to be an endearing character and I liked him more as the story progressed.  I have read of land claims but Ms. Jennings writes a fun, humorous story, while staying with the facts of just how difficult it must have been. Not everyone was honest and there were cheaters and some disappointments but that was the reality of that time.

Fort Reno has been one of my favorite places to visit and where I have met characters who will stay with me for a very long time. If you haven't read this or the first two books in the series, I can highly recommend them.  Ms. Jennings is one of my must read authors and I look forward to her future work.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own. 

The Rebel Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #10) by Shannon McNear

Book Description

More in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)
The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1836 Texas (February 2019)
The Golden Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1849 San Francisco (April 2019)
The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1860 Utah (July 2019)
The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1863 Tennessee (December 2019)
The Blizzard Bride by Susanne Dietze – set 1888 Nebraska (February 2020)
The Chisholm Trail Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo - (April 2020)Can Love Form Amidst Tensions of War?
​
During the clash between Union and Confederacy, quiet Tennessean Pearl MacFarlane is compelled to nurse both Rebel and Yankee wounded who seek refuge at her family’s farm. She is determined to remain unmoved by the Yankee cause—until she faces the silent struggle of Union soldier Joshua Wheeler, a recent amputee. 

The MacFarlane family fits no stereotype Joshua believed in; still he is desperate to regain his footing—as a soldier, as a man, as a Christian—in the aftermath of his debilitating injury. He will use his time behind enemy lines to gather useful intelligence for the Union—if the courageous Rebel woman will stay out of the line of danger.

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear.

My thoughts:

I have been a fan of this series from the very beginning and with each book I contiue to become fully immersed in the storyline because they are all so well written. This continuity series written by several different authors is fascinating and rich in history.

In this book, Ms. McNear takes her readers back to the Civil War, a sad but interesting part of history.  The characters are fantastic and develop over time which I really appreciate in a book, it makes them seem realistic particularly given the time period and what was asked of them.  I personally can't imagine having to provide food, shelter and care of soldiers with such horrible injuries but thankfully, the MacFarlane family and so many others did just that. They are in a tough predicament with having lost family members in the war, having very little provisions to care for themselves let alone anyone else.

I loved all of the characters and how they developed over time but the one thin I really liked is slow build up to Pearl and Josh's relationship. It was pretty perfect and not being a fan of insta-love, much appreciated. I enjoy a good conflict occasionally which I certainly got in the pages of this book. I have only read one other book by this author but I will definitely be looking for more of her work.

I recommend this book and series to fans of historical and Christian fiction.

Thanks you to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-copy of the Rebel Bride.

More in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)
The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1836 Texas (February 2019)
The Golden Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1849 San Francisco (April 2019)
The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1860 Utah (July 2019)
The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1863 Tennessee (December 2019)
The Blizzard Bride by Susanne Dietze – set 1888 Nebraska (February 2020)
The Chisholm Trail Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo - (April 2020)

Amish Front Porch Stories by Wanda E Brunstetter

by Wanda E. Brunstetter (Goodreads Author), Jean Brunstetter, Richelle Brunstetter

Book Description

Come and sit awhile as you enjoy 18 fictional short stories of love, joy, and the peace found in Amish country.

Amish Country is known for an atmosphere of peace and quiet, perfect for front-porch sitting with a good book. Join New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, as they share 18 heartwarming stories from Amish Country.

Theses fictional short stories include journeys we can all relate to as we seek how to live led by love, joy, peace, patience, and other Fruits of the Spirit. Meet Anna, who struggles to show love to a cantankerous neighbor; Laura, who endures infertility; Nora, whose pride threatens to consume her life; and other women who walk in their faith each day.

My thoughts:

I thought this was a nice collection of short stories by Wanda Brunstetter, Jean Brunstetter and Richelle Brunstetter.   At the end of each story there is a bible verse added  which I thought was a nice touch.

It made me reflect on both the story, the lesson characters took away from their encounters with difficult people,  difficult situations and how I might apply those lessons it in my life.

The simple yet lovely cover reflects the simple life of the Amish people the authors wrote about in this novel.  I liked that I could put his book down after having read a few chapters and could go back to it when I had some time to relax with short but well written stories.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own.