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.

 

Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright

About the book

After Aggie Dunkirk's career is unceremoniously ended by her own mistakes, she finds herself traveling to Wisconsin, where her grandmother, Mumsie, lives alone in her vintage, though very outdated, home. Aggie didn't plan for how eccentric Mumsie has become, obsessing over an old, unsolved crime scene--even going so far as to re-create it in a dollhouse.

Mystery seems to follow Aggie when she finds work as a secretary helping to restore the flooded historical part of the town's cemetery. Forced to work with a puzzling yet attractive archaeologist, she exhumes the past's secrets and unwittingly uncovers a crime that some will go to any length to keep hidden--even if that means silencing Aggie.

In 1946, Imogene Grayson works in a beauty salon but has her sights set on Hollywood. But coming home to discover her younger sister's body in the attic changes everything. Unfamiliar with the burgeoning world of forensic science and, as a woman, not particularly welcomed into the investigation, Imogene is nonetheless determined to stay involved. As her sister's case grows cold, Imogene vows to find justice . . . no matter the cost.

My thoughts:

I absolutely loved everything about this time-slip novel by Jaime Jo Wright.  It is pure perfection in my opinion with just the right amount of mystery, a gripping storyline and  lovable characters. 

Mumsie is simply adorable which made her my favorite fictional grandmothers of all times.  She is courageous, determined and full of spunk, qualities that I greatly admire.

Grief is difficult to deal with but unfortunately it's something that we all experience in our lifetime so my heart ached for Imogene and her family when their sister tragically died   I was  extremely impressed with Imogene's attempts to solve the mystery and fight for justice for her beloved sister.  Aggie is an amazing character, too and I loved her almost as I loved Mumsie.  Their relationship developed over time and was quite humorous which I appreciated. 

There are twists and turns throughout that had me reading as fast as I could so that I could find out what had transpired all those years ago.  This reader was more than satisfied with the surprise ending of this artfully written novel. The book was well paced with compelling characters and my favorite penned by Ms. Wright.  I highly recommend Echoes Among the Stones to readers of suspense and mystery Christian novels who also enjoy a good time-slip.

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

The Bake Shop (Amish Marketplace #1) by Amy Clipston

About the book

Return to Lancaster County with the first installment of Amy Clipston's charming new Amish Marketplace series.

Christiana Kurtz loves to bake, but when her bake stand becomes too busy, her mother encourages her to move her business to the local market. Her new bake shop becomes so inundated with customers that the line blocks the leather and woodcraft shop next door, which is run by Jeffrey Stoltzfus. When Jeffrey complains that her stand is driving away business due to the lines, she complains to him that his personalization machine smells. Though their relationship starts off on bad footing, they eventually forge a friendship.

When Christiana’s father makes a surprise visit to the market, he is upset to find that Jeffrey uses the building’s electricity to personalize his items. He tells Christiana that Jeffrey is too modern for her, and she’s forbidden from dating him. Christiana is crushed, but she knows she must obey her father.

When Jeffrey’s shop catches fire one day, he puts the entire market in jeopardy—including Christiana’s bake shop. Christiana, however, can’t deny how she feels about Jeffrey despite his mistakes. Though the odds are against them, can two young people find a way to rebuild both their businesses and their relationship?

My thoughts:

The cover is just as sweet as the story of Christiana Kurtz and Jeffrey Stoltzfus.  I love Lancaster County so I'm always ready to return there, spending time there in person or through the eyes of characters, it's always a treat for me. Going to an Amish market is a fun way to see the lovely crafts, quilts, baked goods and just walking around taking it all in is always a pleasant experience.  

Amy Clipston brings that experience to life in the first book in her new series.

Christiana has a bake stand at her parents house but the time comes for her to move her baked goods to the market, with her fathers permission of course, which wasn't easy to get.  It's actually a good place for her to be with family and friends working or shopping there.  One of the first people she runs into is Jeffrey which results in spilled coffee which would put anyone in a bad mood especially since he has to work that day.  Oh, and his booth happens to be next t her. 

I liked that there friendship started off slowly and that there were obstacles in there way. making for an interesting storyline that was fun to read.

I was in the mood for a lighthearted read after reading some that were not so lighthearted. There are several characters in this book that I liked so I'm curious to see what's in store for them.

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

A Pursuit of Home (Haven Manor-3) by Kristi Ann Hunter

Book Synopsis

When she learns the family she thought dead might be alive and in danger, Jess Beuchene knows her secrets can only stay buried for so long. Desperation brings her to Derek Thornbury, an expert in history and artifacts, to help her decipher the clues in an old family diary.

Will their search to uncover the truth of the past lead to a future together?

My thoughts:

A Pursuit of Home is the third and final book in the Haven Manor series. I recommend reading the first two books in the series before starting this one because you'll want to familiarize yourself with the cast of wonderful characters and you'll love this series as much as all of the readers who have read it.  

Like every other fan of this series, I have been so anxious to read Jess's story, although the wait was hard, it was well worth it.  Kristi Ann Hunter certainly crafted a terrific storyline for Jess and coming up with so many incredible disguises for her with so many interesting parts including twists,, turns, an old family diary and Derek Thornbury.   I really liked Derek who is perfect for Jess.  

They are quite the pair, their strengths play off of each other perfectly and of course the witty banter is something I always appreciate.

This is an amazing conclusion to an amazing series which is why it's one of my all time favorite series.

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

A Cross to Kill (A Shepherd Suspense Novel #1) review + Giveaway

About the book

John Cross is a small-town pastor, bent on leading his flock to follow God's calling. He's not the sort of man one would expect to

have a checkered past.

But the truth is that the man behind the pulpit preaching to his sheep was once a wolf--an assassin for the CIA. When John decided to follow Christ, he put that work behind him, determined to pay penance for all the lives he took. He vowed never to kill again.


Now someone wants the peaceful pastor to pay for his sins with his own life. And when a terrorist out for revenge walks into the church, John's secrets are laid bare. Confronted with his past, he must face his demons and discover whether a man can truly change. Can he keep his vow--even when the people he loves are in mortal danger? Will his congregation and the brave woman he's learning to care for be caught in the cross fire? In the end, his death may be the only sacrifice he has left to offer . . .

Andrew Huff's thrilling debut is not only a riveting story of suspense, it's also a deep exploration of the moral quandaries that face those who choose to follow the Prince of Peace in a violent world.

My thoughts:

A Cross to Kill is the first book in a Shepherd Suspense series and if the rest of the books in the series is as intense as this one is, then readers will be in for a wild roller coaster ride.  It's non-top excitement with some heart-pounding scenes within this novel.  Truthfully, some parts were a bit too much for me because I thought there was more violence than I'm used to reading in the suspense genre.  That's not to say I didn't enjoy the writing or the characters because I did.

I was particularly intrigued by John Cross and the dilemma he faced with being a small-town pastor and his past of being an assassin for the CIA.  I hadn't read another novel with this interesting premise so I knew it would be a welcome change from what I normally read.  I also liked the spiritual journey and the fact that we all have different paths on our journey. I actually do like non-stop action, and getting to know the characters and the author certainly delivered on those fronts.

Overall, I thought the book was good and I'm anxious to see what direction he will take his characters in as the series progresses. If anyone is looking for an edge of your seat, nail-biting book, then I highly recommend this one.

I received a complimentary copy of A Cross to Kill from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

      What Other's Are Saying

"An action-packed nail-biter from beginning to end, filled with enough twists and turns to put 24 and Jack Bauer to shame! I couldn’t put it down. Many thanks to Andrew for hours of entertainment and frantic page turning." Lynette Eason, best-selling, award-winning author of the Blue Justice series “What a ride! A Cross to Kill had a lot of amazing action (right from the beginning!) but an even better story to tell. I was amazed at the amount of detail Andrew was able to write into the scenes to bring them alive in my mind.” Rob Thomas, Founder & CEO of Igniter Media “Huff has written a fast paced novel which draws the readers into the adventure from the opening pages. An intriguing story with suspense, action, and danger. The major characters wrestle with faith, forgiveness, and redemption in a believable plot line that holds the readers’ attention to the end.” Glenn Kreider, author of God With Us       About the author Andrew Huff spent 10 years in local church ministry before pursuing God’s calling into creative storytelling and media production as the Product Director at Igniter Media, a church media company (ignitermedia.com). He is a two-time finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Contest for unpublished authors (2014 & 2017) and also won the Best Screenplay award at the 2015 48 Hour Film Festival in Richmond, VA. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science in Religion degree from Liberty University and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary. He resides in North Texas with his beautiful wife Jae and their two boys. Learn more at andrewhuffbooks.com. Facebook (@huffwrites)  Twitter (@andrewjohnhuff)  Click here to enter