A Welcome at OurDoors (Amish Homestead #4) by Amy Clipston

Book Description

After a devastating loss, Cindy Riehl is still searching for peace. Will she find it in the community she calls home—or will love send her down a new path? 

Over the last few years, Cindy Riehl—the youngest of the Riehl children—has watched her siblings find love and happiness in Lancaster County. But as her family has settled down and grown, Cindy has continued to grieve her mother, whose death left an enormous hole in her heart. Since that haunting day, Cindy has struggled to find peace and wonders if the community is the place for her—and if her faith in God will ever feel the same as it once did.

When a handsome and kind Englisher named Drew crosses Cindy’s path one surprising day, the two of them become fast and easy friends. Drew dreams of starting a family after some losses of his own, and before long, he and Cindy discover that their feelings for each other are romantic. As they spend more time together—often in secret—Cindy is drawn further and further away from the Amish community and the family she loves. In time, she is faced with a difficult choice that threatens to upend her world.

Will Cindy find contentment and love, and will she ever find restored comfort in God and her beloved community? In this final installment of the Amish Homestead series, we return to the charming town of Bird-in-Hand for a story of healing, family, and God’s perfect provision. 

My thoughts:

I had often thought of Cindy Reihl throughout  this series and have been curious as to what the future held for her.  I find myself doing that when I read this authors books because I get attached to her characters.  Cindy is the youngest in her family and has had the most difficulty dealing with the death of their mother, so I was looking forward to reading her story.

Let's just say that I never expected a cow named Cucumber to play a role in her meeting the young man who would become so important to her.  There is an obstacle in their way as he is English hand she is Amish.  Out  of all the young men she could meet, Drew was the one who held her heart but of course that didn't go over so well with her family and friends.  The one thing that I have admired about Cindy is that she has remained steadfast in her refusal to settle for anyone just for the sake of getting married and raising a family.  I think she has believed that would happen when the time was right and she would be with the one she was meant to be with.

The path to true love and happily ever after isn't easy and through the ups and downs, the highs and lows, Cindy and Drew have so many obstacles to overcome before they can finally have the lives they both deserve.

I received a copy for this book from the publisher through Netgalley but was under no obligation to write a review.  All opinions are my own.

The Patient One (Walnut Creek #1) by Shelley Shepard Gray

About the book

Seven former best friends reunite and struggle to heal after the tragic death of one of their own in this evocative and heartrending novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Gift and Her Secret. 

When word had gotten out that Andy Warner had committed suicide, everyone in Walnut Creek, Ohio, had been shocked. For seven men and women in their twenties, some Amish, some Mennonite, and some English, each of whom had once counted his or herself as one of Andy’s best friends, it had been extremely painful.

And, maybe, a source of guilt.

Years have passed since they’d all been together last. Some of them got into trouble. A couple got into arguments. Eventually they all drifted apart. But even though none of them really saw each other anymore, there was a steadfast certainty that they’d always have each other’s backs—even when no one else did. Their bond was that strong…until Andy did the unthinkable.

Now the seven remaining friends, still reeling from Andy’s death, have vowed to look after each other again. As far as they’re concerned, it doesn’t matter that they’re now in their twenties and have drifted far apart. 

They need to connect again…for Andy.

My thoughts:

I have been a fan of this authors work for many years and yet I am always impressed by her writing.  In the first book in the Walnut Creek series she tells the story of seven best friends who are reunited by a tragic event in their lives.  

The bond they shared is a wonderful one and they have never allowed the differences in their backgrounds and beliefs stand in the way of friendship.  Some are Amish, some Mennonite, some are English and as I was reading this book, it occurred to me how wonderful the world would be if we could all live our lives and be more accepting of people of all faiths and backgrounds.  There are obviously heavy moments but there are lighthearted ones, too.

We get to know Andy through his friends sharing stories about him which brought a smile to my face.  I have to say that I didn't have a favorite character because I found them all likable, so I'm curious to see what the author has in store for them.   This is an emotional and heartfelt story and one  I recommend.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley but was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.

The Pink Bonnet: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crimes by Liz Tolsma

About the book

A Desperate Mother Searches for Her Child
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives.
 

How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her child?

My thoughts:

The Pink Bonnet is the second book in the True Colors a series of Historical Crimes written by different authors so they each standalone.  I plan on reading each of the books as they release because so far they have both been so good.

In this novel, author Liz Tolsma tells the true story of Georgia Tann who ran an adoption agency in Memphis, Tennessee from 1924 to 1950.  Unfortunately the children she took were taken without their parents permission or knowledge.  I have to admit that I was unaware of this corrupt practice she and others were engaged in and it really made me so angry and sad that this happened.

Young widowed Cecile Dowd and her three year old daughter, Millie stole my heart as they fall prey to this horrible practice and are suddenly separated from each other.  The author wrote the emotions of both mother and daughter so realistically that I teared up several times while reading this well crafted story.  We meet several really horrible characters in this book but there are a few good ones who I liked so much and who helped Cecile as she searched for her child.

I quickly got caught up in the storyline as the search continued to find Millie and the pure love Cecile had for her as she searched tirelessly for her.

I loved the action and suspense that had me sitting on the edge of my seat as the search continued and had me turning pages as fast as I could.  If there are any readers out there looking for  historical stories of true crimes or a great book in general, I highly recommend this one because it truly well worth the read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to  post a review.  

  

Core 52 by Mark E. Moore

Book Description

In just fifteen minutes a day, you can master the 52 most important verses in the Bible in a year. 

While there are lots of one-year Bible reading plans, few help you understand the words that you're reading. What if we could introduce you to a Bible reading plan that would dramatically increase your mastery of the Bible in one year? Mark Moore coaches you through 52 of the Bible's most important verses. These are the "core" of the Bible. Each verse clears the path to master and manage dozens of other verses that run along the same principle path. At the end of this journey, you will move from curiosity about the Bible to competence in the Bible. It is the quickest onramp to understanding the whole of God's Word for your life.

My thoughts:

Core 52 is a fifteen-minute daily guide to build you Bible IQ in a year as per the cover of the book.  I agree that it is useful and has been a nice addition to my bible study.  I have to be honest and admit that I prefer having quiet time and enjoy the time to myself instead of a group study because I find it works better for me.

I like how the author breaks the chapters of the book down into sections where you read the essay, memorize a verse, read another chapter along with other tasks.  I am excited to read the entire book which I haven't done as yet because I wanted to review it.  I do plan to use this book and have purchased a faith planner to write bible verses, prayers and how I apply them to my daily life. I believe that wherever you are in your spiritual journey that it's always good to add study guides such as this one or any others you feel comfortable with to your time in reading the word.

I have enjoyed this book and hope others will, too.  

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher but was under n obligation to write a favorable review.  All opinions are my own.

Leaving Darkness by Greg Schaffer

Book Description

Long-haul truck driver Lowell Ferguson is on the brink of suicide. He is haunted by the guilt of a horrible secret from his senior year of high school. Therapy and antidepressants aren’t able to lift him out of depression. At twenty-eight years old, he believes his life has dissolved into a meaningless annoyance. Only the strong bond with his lone friend—a Chihuahua named Rufus—keeps him from choosing death. But when Lowell learns Rufus may have cancer, he fears there will be no reason left to live if his beloved dog dies.

My thoughts:

I went outside of my comfort zone by reading this which I rarely do but I'm pleased with the decision I made because it was a story of forgiveness and letting go of the past.  I wasn't sure I would connect with any of the characters at first but found myself liking and understanding Lowell as the story progressed.

This isn't an easy read due to the subject matter but it's an interesting read. The characters are undoubtedly flawed but Lowell became likable to me and that is due to his love of his dog Rufus.  I have always thought if any human being loves and cares for an animal they must have some redeeming qualities.  I liked that Lowell was willing to take responsibility and seek forgiveness for something he was involved in as a teen.  As much as I grew to admire Lowell, I became less fond of his friend Alan which is how the author wrote his character.

Overall, I liked the personal growth of Lowell and the path he chose to take.  His journey wasn't an easy one but it was one built on faith and I think they are the most important ones to take.  I thought the storyline was interesting and some of the secondary characters were likable.

I received a complimentary copy of Leaving Darkness and have given my honest opinion.

More Than Words Can Say (Patchwork Family #2) by Karen Witemeyer

Book Description

After being railroaded by the city council, Abby needs a mans name on her bakery's deed, and a man she can control, not the stoic lumberman Zacharias who always seems to exude silent confidence. She cant even control her pulse when she's around him. But as trust grows between them, she finds she wants more than his rescue. She wants his heart. 

Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: June 4th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers (first published June 2019)

Links to purchase     Amazon        B&N

My thoughts:

Oh how I loved this book!  This is the second book in the Patchwork Family series and one of my most anticipated reads of 2019, partly because I have often thought of Zach since meeting him in More Than Meets the Eye and I have been waiting for his story but mainly because I love anything written by Karen Witemeyer.  

Abby was instantly likeable and her story made me so glad that I live in a world where it's perfectly acceptable for women  to own a business without having a man's name to put on the deed.  That's  how things were during the 1800's and since her father's death the city council started giving her a hard time. So, what's a single woman  who owns and operates a successful bakery to do?  Well, she decides to enter into a marriage of convenience which adds several humorous interactions with a couple of the single men in town.  My goodness, Abby is determined she is not giving up her bakery and livelihood without a fight and that's when I rooted for her to have the best life had to offer her.

Things didn't  get off to a good start as Abby went through the list of suitable men to marry, there were some duds who frequented her bakery but there was that one man she thought would be a good choice.  Unfortunately he disagreed much to my disappointment but luckily Abby has a sister who  has her back so that was a wonderful surprise when she pays Zach a visit.   Zach has changed so much since the first book and the change has been positive making this readers heart so happy. I have admired the sacrifices he made for his Patchwork family and was so happy to reconnect with Evangeline and Seth.  I didn't always condone Zach's behavior but knew he had little choice in how he provided for his family.

I think the author strikes the perfect blend of humor, love of family and faith in this wonderful story.  This could be read as a standalone but I recommend reading  the books in order to fully appreciate the characters and the fantastic writing of Ms. Witemeyer. 

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley but was under no obligation to write a review.  All opinions are my own. 

Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner

Book Description

After four years with her boyfriend, Cadie McCaffrey is thinking of ending things. Convinced Will doesn't love her in the "forever" way she loves him, Cadie believes it's time for her to let him go before life passes her by. When a misunderstanding leads to a mistake, leaving her hurt, disappointed, and full of regret, she finally sends him packing.

But for Will, the end of their relationship is only the beginning of his quest to figure out how to be the man Cadie wanted him to be. With the dubious guidance of his former pro-athlete work friends and tactics drawn from Cadie's favorite romantic comedies, Will attempts to win her back. It's a foolproof plan. What could possibly go wrong?

Bethany Turner is back with more of the heart and humor readers love. Anyone who enjoys a good romance or binges romantic comedies on Netflix will devour this delightful story. 

My thoughts:

From the moment Cadie and Will met I was hooked on this super cute, fast paced book.   They were meant for each other or so I thought.  There are doubts, misunderstandings and dialog that had me laughing as I turned the pages.

I was team Cadie for the majority of the of the storyline but my feelings changed and I was all about Will for a while.  Of course, as the story progressed, I became a fan of both characters and rooted for them to have their happily ever after.   I liked the secondary characters as much as I liked the main characters in this book, too. 

Overall, this is a good book for those lazy summer days when you want to escape, read it at home or take it with you on vacation, but read it for the pure entertainment it provides.   

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher but was under no obligation to post a review.  All opinions are my own.