An Unusual Amish Match (Indiana Amish Market #3) by Vanetta Chapman

 

He’s too serious. She’s too flighty.

But together, they might be perfect…

With his crops failing, Amish bachelor Ethan King already has enough problems. He certainly doesn’t need pretty Ada Yoder—and her sunny exuberance or her penchant for jumping from job to job—adding to his troubles. But when a family emergency requires them to work together, they’ll discover that the biggest problem isn’t their differences…it’s their feelings for each other.

My thoughts:

 

Ada has been my favorite character in this series and I am so glad we get her story. Don’t get me wrong, all of the characters and their storylines have been wonderful, heartwarming and so good, but they are not as endearing to me as Ada has been.

Ada is unlike her sisters, truthfully, she is different than most Amish girls her age.  Cooking, sewing, anything domestic holds no interest for her.  Animals, incessant talking and turning common phrases around to where some people have no clue what she means is much more to her liking.

Ethan is much more settled, responsible, and mature as he must be given his situation.  When he works with Ada the sparks fly and not in a good way, they have a different work ethic, differing views and yet, there is just something that he finds irresistible about her.  Her love of animals, protecting them, adopting them made her special to me, she has always been a good, decent person, she just had to find what makes her happy.

Overall, I thought this was a charming, delightful, written book.  I love how this series is suitable for readers of all ages which is why I highly recommend it. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions are my own.

Good Taste by Caroline Scott

 

With delectable prose, a sharp heroine ahead of her time, and an adventure across the English countryside in search of great food,  Good Taste  is the perfect historical novel for fans of  Dear Mrs. Bird  and  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society . You can tell a lot about a person from what they like to eat… England in 1932 is in the grip of the Great Depression. Author of a much-loved but not very successful biography, Stella Douglas is a bit depressed herself. When she’s summoned to see her editor in London, she dreads being told her writing career is over before it’s even started. But much to her surprise, she finds she is being commissioned to write a history of food in England and how the English like to eat. It’s to be quintessentially English and will remind English housewives of the old ways, and English men of the glory of their country. The publishers hope such a book will lift the spirits of the nation. The only problem is—all English food is actually quite terrible (and anything good is from elsewhere).

  So Stella sets about inviting recipes from all corners of England, in the hope of discovering a hidden culinary gem. But what she discovers is oatcakes and gravy and lots and lots of potatoes.  Longing for something more thrilling, she heads off to speak to the nation’s housewives. But when her car breaks down and the dashing and charismatic antiques dealer Freddie springs to her rescue, she is led in a very different direction... Full of wit, life, and—against all odds—delicious food,  Good Taste  is a story of discovery and one woman’s desire to make her own way as a modern woman.

My thoughts:

This is an enjoyable novel, with a wonderful premise and Stella, the main character. It’s interesting how her career path changed as she’s tasked with writing the history of food in England and how the English eat. The story is set in 1932, which I found fascinating because I love Historical novels.  Especially ones like this peppered with witty dialogue, delightful characters, and the time period.

I am a picky eater, so not a foodie, but I liked learning about the different foods with the different recipes.  It isn’t all fun and games for Stella as she researches and tastes local dishes, not at all, she has some personal losses to deal with as well.

Overall, I though this was well written, interesting an well worth the read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions are my own.

Christmas at Corgi Cove by Annie England Noblin

If you’re looking for the perfect feel-good Christmas novel, then look no further than Annie England Noblin’s newest novel. This book will absolutely delight any reader looking for a sweet  and  sassy read—and not to mention enchant the fans of Annie’s signature canine characters. Perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis, Sarah Morgan, Lori Wilde, and Susan Mallery. Rosie Reynolds had come to lakeside Corgi Cove as a lost, lonely girl abandoned by her own mother, but there she discovered a true place to call home. She loves her Corgis, Bonnie and Clyde; loves the lakeside life; and loves her aunt and uncle most of all. But when she discovers their struggling inn is about to be bought out by some big city chain, she hatches a to win a contest naming theirs the best Christmas-themed inn in the USA. It's a long shot, but she knows if the whole town pulls together that they can do it. But she didn’t count on Everett St Claire, who emerged from his gleaming, black BMW, straightening his tie and asking himself how did a big-city guy like him find himself in a speck on the map like Corgi Cove? And how fast could he get back to the city? 

After all, it couldn’t be that difficult to convince one elderly couple to take the money to retire. He didn’t count on getting sucked into life on the lake. Sure, the people might be…eccentric, and Rosie might seem like a pain in the backside, but there is something alluring about the place. And with the holidays nearing, and the deadline looming, Rosie and Everett are about to discover the magic of a Christmas at Corgi Cove.

My thoughts:

I could not resist this cover.  Certainly not when I had the opportunity to read it, so I gladly accepted it. This is a fairly quick read for me as I got caught up in the storyline. Life on a lake sounds good to me and I could easily imagine spending time there, especially with the characters in this book. 

This is a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of her work.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary of this book.  Opinions are my own.
 

Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

 

Christmas comes early—far too early—to McCredie’s little Old Town bookshop in Edinburgh. It’s summer, but an American production company has decided that McCredie’s is the perfect location to film a very cheesy Christmas movie. After all, who can resist the charmingly narrow historic street with its Victorian grey stone buildings and warmly lit shop windows?

Carmen Hogan, the bookshop’s manager, is amused and a bit horrified by the goings-on, but the money the studio is paying is too good to pass up. She uses the little windfall from filming to create new displays and fend off a buyout offer from an obnoxious millionaire who wants to turn McCredie’s into a souvenir shop selling kilts made in China and plastic Nessies. Still reeling slightly from a breakup, Carmen’s not particularly looking forward to the holidays. But just as snow begins to fall and the lights of Christmas blink on, all sorts of lovely new possibilities present themselves…for McCredie’s bookstore, and for Carmen herself.

My thoughts:

This is the first book that I have had the pleasure of reading by this author, and I absolutely loved it.  I fell in love with the beautiful cover, then I met the characters and loved them as well.

 I have always thought that Christmas seems to come earlier every year, but it really does come far too early to McCredie's little Old Town bookshop in Edinburgh.  What follows is a fun, enjoyable story. This is such a delightful read.  

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions are my own.

Against the Wind (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing) by Amanda Cabot

Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn has no intention of remaining in Sweetwater Crossing. She's just there for a few days to help a friend. But she can't abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until his broken leg heals, she'll serve as the town's doctor and midwife. She may not be fully qualified yet, but surely she's better than nothing.

Josh Porter's plans to win his grandfather's challenge and fulfill his father's final wish to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory--ideas Louisa could help turn into reality.

If only the town were more accepting of Louisa's talents! Someone is determined to convince her to abandon her dream of healing others. Can Josh help her uncover the person behind the threats before it's too late? And is there any future for them together when neither of them plans to stay?

My thoughts:

I love this series so far; this second book was well worth the wait.  It was good to revisit Sweetwater Creek, reconnect with some characters and meet new ones. Doctor in training, Louisa Vaughn meets Josh Porter in a rather unique but timely manner, she is visiting town for a short time, he has been injured when she finds him at the side of the road.

They form a bond as she has set his broken leg, offers as much medical advice as she can in helping him recover.  Unfortunately, as time goes by, the towns people have decided they do not want or trust a woman doctor. It was a different time and I am so happy that we live in a time when gender does not play a role in a person’s decision to choose their path in life and is judged on their abilities to perform in their chosen profession.

Both Josh and Louisa are fantastic characters, strong, hardworking, and truly likable. I have been a fan of this authors work and loved this book.  Highly recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions are my own.

 

Dating Can Be Deadly (An Amish Matchmaker Mystery (#5) by Amanda Flower

 

Set in the fan-favorite Amish village of Harvest, Ohio, the latest novel in USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower’s Amish Matchmaker Mysteries brings back the unlikely sleuthing duo of a widowed Amish matchmaker and her zany, four-times-divorced Englisch best friend as they must solve the murder of a quilting competition judge.

Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, small-town mysteries, wholesome romance, inspirational fiction, and readers of Jennifer Beckstrand, Charlotte Hubbard, Rachel J. Good, and other authors of Amish fiction.

It's August in Holmes County, and that means it's time for the Holmes County Fair. It's the county’s biggest annual event, drawing tourists and locals alike to see livestock, eat too much fried food, and watch the rodeo and speed racing contests. This year, Millie has entered the quilting competition—while her very not Amish best friend, Lois Henry, is distracted by her new dating app and her search for husband number five. In a place where quilting is a way of life, the competition is fierce—especially this year, when an anonymous donor doubles the winning cash prize. Amish and English women are up against each other, and some will do anything to win—even murder . . .

When someone attacks the quilt barn by slashing the quilt display, it’s unsettling enough. But when a quilting judge is found murdered, Millie knows it’s time to for Lois to get off her app and help her hunt for a killer instead—before the competition is wiped out for good . 

My thoughts:

  Ms. Flowers is one of the very few authors who manages to keep me looking forward to the next release in a series and this one exceeded my expectations. I adore Milly and Lois, life long, unlikely friends who find themselves in some dangerous situations. They like being in the thick of things and never shy away from getting involved even when they are asked not to.

There is nothing better than a county fair with animal exhibits, games and judging of quilts and other items.  This fair has all that and a murder, which Milly and Lois feel compelled to help solve.  I love their friendship, they are kind, helpful and so funny you can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with next.  There are returning characters who I have grown fond of and some new ones, too.  One of my favorites is a young Amish boy who stole my heart.

This author pens some of my favorite cozy mysteries and I look forward to what she has in store for her readers next.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.

 

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Shadows at Dusk (Missing in Akaska #2) by Elizabeth Goddard

 

Montana Detective Trevor West is desperate to learn what happened to his sister, who went missing in Alaska over a year ago, leaving nothing but a few photographs as clues to her whereabouts. At the advice of Police Chief Autumn Long, Trevor enlists the help of an experienced bush pilot. If Carrie James can't help him find the places in the photographs, no one can.

But Carrie has her own agenda. Grieving the death of her closest friend and the only person she could trust, Carrie will help Trevor find his sister on one condition--that he help her track down her friend's killer.

As the two close in on the answers they crave, they'll face dangers and connections they could not have imagined. They'll have to learn to trust one another--and face the dark secrets of the past--if they are ever to discover the truth and bring a killer to justice.

My thoughts:

I was looking for an action-packed, page turning, suspenseful novel and that’s exactly what I got. From the very beginning I was fully engaged in the lives of the characters. Detective Trevor West is searching for his missing sister in Alaska.  Bush pilot, Carrie James is searching for the person who killed her closet friend.

There is no stopping this duo when they work together although there are many attempts to try. This well written, exciting book had me sitting on the edge of my seat with danger at very turn.  I loved everything about this book, the descriptive scenery, the incredible character, and the wonderful pace.  Highly recommend.

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