A Perfect Amish Romance (Berlin Bookmobile 1)by Shelley Shepard Gray

 

Book Synopsis

rom New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes a new series that follows a bookmobile driver-turned-matchmaker who learns that her Amish patrons need a whole lot more than just new books to read.

Aaron Coblentz has a secret: he’s been studying to take the GED to get promoted at work. But he can’t let his Amish family know, not when his older brother already left the faith just a year after getting baptized, practically crippling the family. When Aaron asks bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller for some additional study guides, she does one better. She arranges for Kayla Kaufman to be his tutor.

Kayla has a secret, too. Her life has been turned upside down in a matter of months—her mother’s death propelled her father into a constant state of depression, and unable to deal with his erratic behavior, her longtime boyfriend has broken things off. But despite losing those she holds most dear, she hasn’t completely given up on love. Only now she seeks to find it in the sweet romance novels she secretly checks out from Sarah Anne’s bookmobile.

As Aaron and Kayla’s study sessions start to feel less like work and more like pleasure, they soon realize that happily ever afters don’t only happen in fiction; sometimes they happen when you least expect it.

My thoughts:

When I saw that one of my favorite authors was writing a new series and that new series happened involved a bookmobile, I was beyond excited.  It brought back so many memories of when I used to wait for the bookmobile to come to my neighborhood.

I loved the visitors to the bookmobile, Sara Anne Miller, the sweet, caring driver of the bookmobile and the wonderful characters we meet along the way.  Some we get to know in depth while others, I believe we’ll get to know better in the next book in the series.   The Coblentz family are a fun, loving family, which is the complete opposite of Kayla Kaufman and her family.  I liked Aaron and Kayla so much, they are both capable, kind people but they don’t always see that in themselves.

One of my favorite things is how the author begins each chapter with the rules about the bookmobile from Sara Anne.  They are quite amusing and clever. 

Overall, I thought this book is worthy of a 5-star review because it’s truly a terrific read.  I look forward to the next book in the series.  Add this one to your TBR.

I received a copy through Netgalley and have given my honest opinion.

 

Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M. White

                                                                      Book Synopsis

                                                                           

Cordelia Owens can weave a hopeful dream around anything and is well used to winning the hearts of everyone in Savannah with her whimsy. Even when she receives word that her sweetheart has been lost during a raid on a Yankee vessel, she clings to hope and comes up with many a romantic tale of his eventual homecoming to reassure his mother and sister.

But Phineas Dunn finds nothing redemptive in the first horrors of war. Struggling for months to make it home alive, he returns to Savannah injured and cynical, and all too sure that he is not the hero Cordelia seems determined to make him. Matters of black and white don't seem so simple anymore to Phin, and despite her best efforts, Delia's smiles can't erase all the complications in his life. And when Fort Pulaski falls and the future wavers, they both must decide where the dreams of a new America will take them, and if they will go together.

My thoughts;

This novel is very different than the other books I have read by his author. That's not a bad thing at all, but as a fan of The CodeBreakers series, this was  different and in a good way.

i loved the characters and found the plot interesting ,although it did take awhile for me to become fully engaged, but I have been contending with a broken arm so that very may have been part of the reason it took awhile.  Having said that, this is another fantastic book by one of my favorite authors which is why I highly recommend it.  There are a lot of ups and downs, in the end it's always worth the troubles and fears to get where you are meant to be.  A fantastic storyline and amazing characters makes this one a  wonderful read.

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

 

Nothing Short of Wondrous by Regina Scott

                                                                   Book Synopsis

It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. When her 6-year-old son is kidnapped by a poacher who wants the boy to guide him to the place where the last of the Yellowstone bison congregate, Will and Kate must work together to rescue him, save the bison, and protect the park. In doing so, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control. 

My Thoughts;

this is the second book in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone.  i actually liked this book better than the first one, although i genuinely enjoyed both of these fantastc reads.

i absolutely adored kate and her little boy, they have the sweetest relationship which made the storyline more enjoyable to me.  i found William interesting and likeable so i was  pleased with his character from the very brginning.  i wasn't sure i would like this book due to the poaching, as an animal lover, this is heartbreaking to me but the charcters, the writing and the overall beauty of yellowstone drew me in and held my attention.  

overall, i thought this was an enjoyble way to spend time getting lost in a book. i received a copy from the publisher.  all opinions are my own.

 

To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano

 

                                                                          About the book

After spending her childhood as a street thief, Gabriel. After being taken under the wing of a professor who introduced him into society and named him as his heir, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he'd be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever.

 Using her old skills to prove her friend's innocence, Gabriella unexpectedly encounters Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend—until he abandoned her.

My thoughts;

To Steal Her Heart is the first book in the new series by Jen Turano and what a great start to this exciting, fun new series.  Jen writes with warmth and humor and draws me in from start to finish in each book she writes,

I loved the characters in this book so much, both the main characters and the secondary ones, too.  Lots of laughs, coupled with characters who are a joy to meet, this is another series I'm eager to read.

I received a copy from the publisher and have given my honest opinion.

                                                                         

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Cowboy's Holiday Bride by Cathy McDavid

 

                                                      On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Cowboy's Holiday Bride
(Wishing Well Springs #1)
By Cathy McDavid
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
November 1, 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Changing his heart…

Would be a Christmas miracle!

Cash Montgomery creates Western-themed weddings and knows all about happily-ever-after. In theory. He’s been hurt too many times to think that he could ever be a marrying man. His business partner Phoebe Kellerman doesn’t agree with him—on anything! At Christmas, Cash is visited by three of his past girlfriends…and he begins to see the error of his ways. Will it be before he loses Phoebe, the woman he’s falling for?

New York Times Bestselling Author

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My thoughts:

This is a super-cute cute novel with delightful characters and a wonderful premise.  I quickly became interested in the story of Cash Montgomery, his sister, Laurel and their business partner/friend, Phoebe Kellerman.  They have a pretty incredible wedding planning business, where they work diligently to make happy couples dream weddings come true.  Yes, there are a few incidents where there are surprises, for example when Cash is surprised that three of the brides at their venue are his former girlfriends.

Those encounters aren't as bad as one might imagine, as a matter of fact they are very enlightening and kind of amusing. Phoebe and Cash are always on opposite ends of how things should go and what the budget needs to be since Cash has plans beyond planning weddings, so there is plenty of bantering between them that made me smile at times.  There is so much to love about this book, there is a strong loving, hardworking  family dynamic, solid friendships, genuine care and concern for each and every wedding they plan and just an all around sweet fun read.

I received a complimentary copy as part of this blog tour.  All opinions are completely my own.

About the Author

                  In the third grade, NY Times, USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid made it her goal to read every Black Stallion book ever written. Who knew such an illustrious ambition would eventually lead to a lifelong love of all things western, owning a stagecoach pulled by six mules, and a career writing contemporary romances for Harlequin? With over 50 titles in print and 1.3 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world six years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It's a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

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Tour Schedule

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Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $20 Amazon eGift Card (US only)

Ends November 11, 2020

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A Picture of Love (Amish Inn #1) by Beth Wiseman

 

Book Description

Both of them have vowed from the bottom of their broken hearts never to love again.

 

Sweet Naomi Byler cooks meals for the guests at The Peony Inn, where Amish sisters and owners of the inn Esther and Lizzie love her like a granddaughter. She’s as happy there as a young woman can be, considering that her fiancé, Thomas, has left her to court someone else. She knows she’ll get over the love of her life in due time, but she assumes marriage will never be a part of her future.

Amos Lantz and his mother are guests at the inn, visiting town for a cousin’s wedding. Attending a wedding is the last thing Amos wants to do since his own fiancée, Sarah, died tragically just a year ago.

Naomi and Amos understand each other’s grief and become quick friends when they discover their mutual love of painting. As the two begin to paint through their sadness together, Esther and Lizzie play matchmaker—a risky move with the potential to backfire. And when Thomas makes an unexpected return intending to win back Naomi, she realizes she no longer knows her own heart.

In this new Amish series from bestselling and award-winning novelist Beth Wiseman, true love takes root in the deepest of wounds. 

My thoughts:

A Picture of Love is the first book in The Amish Inn novels by Beth Wiseman and it is written with warmth, humor and filled with delightful characters.  And of course, the appearance of a red suitcaseJ

Esther and Lizzie are sisters, both are widowed, and they own and operate The Peony Inn, where Naomi Byler cooks meal for the guests.  Naomi is loved like a granddaughter by Lizzie and Esther which makes for some clever and amusing situations between the sisters Speaking of amusing situations, there’s Gus Owens who rents a cottage from the sisters.  Lizzie and Gus simply cannot get along with each other at all and their interactions with each other result in amusing dialog.

There are plenty of tender moments when Amos Lantz and his mother stay at the Inn for a wedding they are attending.   Naomi and Amos are both suffering from a loss and are not looking for a romantic relationship.  I really enjoyed how they bonded over their love of painting which was an interesting part of the story, especially in an Amish novel.  I didn’t really care for Thomas who had broken Naomi’s heart but it added an interesting twist to the storyline when her came to visit her. I really was worried when Lizzie started experiencing health issues, but totally understood her hesitation in finding out what was wrong with her.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out who she chose to share her dilemma with. 

I absolutely adored everything about this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series to release. Thank you to the publisher for the copy.  All opinions are my own.

Softly Blows the Bugle (The Amish of Weaver's Creek #3) by Jan Drexler

 

                                                                        Book Description

When Elizabeth Kaufman received the news of her husband's death at the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863, she felt only relief. She determined that she would never be at the mercy of any man again, even if it meant she would never have a family of her own. Then Aaron Zook comes home with her brother when the war ends two years later.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Aaron resolves to move West and leave the pain of the past behind him. He never imagined that the Amish way of life his grandfather had rejected long ago would be so enticing. That, and a certain widow he can't get out of his mind.

Yet, even in a simple community, life has a way of getting complicated. Aaron soon finds that while he may have left the battlefield behind, there is another fight he must win--the one for the heart of the woman he loves.
Welcome back to the Amish community at Weaver's Creek, where the bonds of family and faith bind up the brokenhearted.

My thoughts:

Jan Drexler deftly combines Amish and historical fiction in this series and I have loved all three of the novels in the series.  This book has something for everyone, family, faith, friends and a touch of mystery. 

Elizabeth made a poor choice in her personal relationships that have resulted in unhappiness for her and led her to keep secrets from her family. I genuinely liked her but there were times when I wanted to give her some friendly advice, especially when it came to Solomon.  He was definitely an unlikeable character but kudos to Ms. Drexler for putting him in the storyline because he kept my emotions off the charts each time, he would make an appearance.

I loved Aaron, wounded and broken from the war, lonely, listless and searching for a place to call home.  He is an incredible character and I loved watching him grow throughout the book, while gaining confidence and more importantly acceptance.

Throughout the entire series, the Amish of Weaver’s Creek have been such a wonderful family, they have faced hard times but through it all, the have their faith and each other. I recommend reading the books in order but this can be read as a standalone.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.  All opinions are completely my own.