"A Ready-Made Amish Family" [Amish Hearts Series, Book 5] by Jo Ann Brown (aka J. A. Ferguson, Jo Ann Ferguson, Joanna Hampton, Rebecca North, & Marianne Ellis)
Author's Book Description :The Amish Nanny
As temporary guardian of two sets of young and energetic twins, widowed minister Isaiah Stoltzfus needs a nanny immediately. Keeping the kids happy and safe while also trying to run his blacksmith shop is becoming impossible. So when Clara Ebersol arrives to help, Isaiah is relieved. Able to soothe, teach and delight the children, Clara feels like family. Love–shy Isaiah knows that recently jilted Clara isn't looking for marriage, either. But with matchmakers—including four young kinder—on the job, Isaiah and Clara may soon find their hands clasped in matrimony.
- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon: Paperback - Pages: 320; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1632 KB; Audible - Unabridged; Audio CD - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: August 1, 2015 | Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc. : Shiloh Run Press; Gld edition | Obtained: NetGalley
What was I thinking? : As stated above I received this novel through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When I first saw the novel I was intrigued by its cover and book description, therefore I felt confident that I would enjoy this novel as I have with other Amish romances. Sad to say I was wrong... yet while I didn't love this novel my goal is to always promote the book that I've read, if you don't like my review make sure to check out the extras posted to promote the novel underneath it. So, here we go...
Author's Book Description :Publisher’s Weekly, CBA and ECPA Bestseller
Follow the heart-wrenching story of Adam Beachy, whose mother walked out on him and his family—and away from the Amish faith. Now he balks at the idea of ever marrying and having a family of his own. But when tragedy strikes, Adam is suddenly a father figure to his three nieces and finds himself needing a wife. Despite their differences over her practice of reflexology, Leah Mast seems the best option to fill that role. Can they make it work in a modern-day marriage of convenience?
My Book Review :1.5 out of 5 stars. A continuation from Ms. Brunstetter's "The Decision," focuses around Leah and Adam. Leah practices reflexology, which she learned from her grandmother and considers it a gift she can give to others. Adam is a confirmed bachelor, with plans to stay that way, and owns the local hardware store. Neither really like each other because of their view on reflexology. However, when a freak accident leaves Adam's three nieces in his care both Leah and Adam's lives will be forever changed ... but will those changes be for all the better?
Okay while I didn't love this novel, I have to get these facts straight...
FIRST -- This is the first time I've read a book by Ms. Brunstetter.
SECOND -- I have read Amish romance novels before and really liked them.
THIRD -- When choosing this novel to read/review I was hoping the novel would be a little like Patricia Davids' "Katie's Redemption" as the "heroes" from both novels have slightly similar backstories.
While I'll admit that Adam's childhood is deeply sad it has turned him into a harsh man who doesn't know how to deal with social interactions well. In addition, he seemed like a dense and uncaring character that it was hard to believe him when he tried to act sincere. Nevertheless, as this novel progressed and who Adam's mother was became revealed (which I had already guessed prior to it coming out) you find out that some of Adam's attitude/behavior might be inherited from his parents as his mother seems dense too I mean just read this quote from her...
What if she located the place where the wedding was being held and found out that she wasn't welcome? ~ Adam's Mother
Basically, Adam's mother's plan was to show up uninvited to his wedding, which knowing their tremulous relationship wasn't a good idea. Between Adam and his mother, I felt like giving up on this novel more than once.
What made me stick with this novel was Leah, her family, and her friends. Leah is sweet, kindhearted, and a good woman. I would have loved having her as a friend and learning a bit about her reflexology was cool too. In addition, I was very sad to hear that one of Leah's friends pass away as I had come too really like her in this novel.
As this was the first novel from this series that I've read, I will say that some of the multiple subplots threw me for a loop. The scenes from Elaine and Priscilla's POVs seemed a bit strained, while the POV's from Adam and his mother made me want to pull my hair out half the time, whereas the scenes from Leah's POV mostly made me happy.
Overall, if you are not a fan of Ms. Brunstetter's before looking into this novel (like me) than I DO NOT recommend it.
He might be the most attractive single Amish man in Arthur, but as far as she was concerned, he had the personality of a donkey. ~ within Chapter 1
Leah suppressed a giggle. "I seem to be falling a lot lately whenever Adam's around."
"What do you mean?"
"I saw him at Rockome Garden Foods the other day and managed to slip in honey that got on the floor when he dropped a jar of the stuff."
"Oh no! Maybe it's a sign that you're meant to stick together." Priscilla snickered. ~ within Chapter 8
Book Preview(s) :
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Wanda, then please check out her Amazon Acct.
What was I thinking? : Well, the cover was cute and the product description that Smitten With Books ARC Tours gave was cute too. I truthfully thought it was going to be a sweet/cute YA novel that I would breeze right through. Instead it was like I was beating my head up against a wall, just trying to finish the book at my normal reading pace, when all I wanted to do was stop. =0P
My Book Summary : Daisy's life is based around her family and her beliefs, with that being said she has a lot of rules that her parents want her to live by. For the most part, she understands their fears, but after seventeen years being the "perfect daughter", she wants to spread her wings a bit more. So, her goal for her last year of high school is to get a date and go to Prom!! It's more so she will be able to say that she went more then anything, but to help her find the right guy she has a 'Prom Journal' to help her out. Her biggest problem is that her parents won't allow her to date, so she not only has to find a guy, but she has to convince her parents that this will be for the best.
Before her senior year, she chooses five guys who she has set her sights on being her prom date. And once the school year beings some of them start getting crossed off her list quickly. But her main person that she wants to go to prom with is Chase. She has been in love with him since kindergarten and he has always been sweet to her. However, she doesn't really know how he feels about her and soon the most popular (and meanest to Daisy) is falling all over Chase looking like Daisy might not have a chance. To top it off a new guy (in her grade) Max has set his sights on her.
In addition, Daisy and her best friend make plans on becoming more noticeable, but in doing so some of the decisions that are made have some consequences that they didn't expect. Will Daisy finally get to have more control over her life, and be able to attend prom with a date? Or will her parents succeed in keeping choosing her life and future for her?
My Book Review : 1 out of 5 stars. I must be a part of the group of people who have misunderstood this book since I just didn't like it at all. I dunno, I mean the message of the book was good. And don't get me wrong I have read some Christian fiction books before and there were a few that I did like. But this one rubbed me the wrong way I guess. I really can't stand "preachy" books and Daisy's parents were very "preachy". However, I will admit that I liked how Daisy dealt with her parents, and she was a good main character. I'm not to sure about her best friend Claire. I really think Daisy should have found a new best friend, since while I thought Daisy's parents were "preachy", Claire pushed her views onto Daisy too and I have never liked that about people.
Side note -- I just have to say ... where can I order myself a Max?! ALSO -- she has a great "fairy godmother" of a boss, which after you read the explanation of him is kind of surprising. =0)
On the other hand, when going to Amazon.com there were quite a few positive reviews on the book -- so those of you who are fans of Christian books might like and appreciate this book more so then I did.
Book Teaser(s) :
Things are not looking from a male perspective. Gil had a girlfriend in high school, which makes me think I need a boyfriend, otherwise how is a guy going to know he has to ask me to the prom? I mean, without a boyfriend, I'm throwing caution to the wind, leaving it all to chance. And that is just not me. I don't take chances.
All I know is the closer prom gets, the more pathetic my life becomes and the tighter my parents' grip seems to be. I am desperately close to losing all sense of sanity. Maybe that's too dramatic for four days of effort, but the results? Ugh, the results!~ within Chapter 6
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Kristin, then please check out her website.
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Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 643 KB | Release Date: April 1, 2013 | Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
"Hide in Plain Sight" [The Three Sisters Inn Series, Book 1] by Marta Perry
My Book Summary : Financial expert Andrea is rushing home to Churchville, PA (also known as Amish Country), to help her family and their inn they are trying to start up. She has been against the idea of the inn from the beginning, but with her younger sisters recent hit-and-run accident she has to help out, and being the oldest sister that means she needs to take charge.
However, once she gets there she finds her grandmother loves having her there, wants her to help with the inn as much as she can, but doesn't want Andrea to help with their financial struggles. In addition, she finds out that some people in the community really don't want the inn to be operational and might try to have it so the inn never opens at all costs.
To top it all off Andrea meets Cal, her grandmother's tenant, who is living and works in the renovated barn behind the inn and he's keeping his own secrets....
My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! I wasn't expecting to like this book when I started reading it but I was pleasantly surprised! The plot was very well written. Good characters.
Book Teaser :
"There's someone, a man, out on the east side of the house."
"Andrea?" His voice sharpened. "Are you sure?"
"The lightening makes it as bright as day. He's there, watching the house. We didn't put lights---"
They hadn't thought they needed to where there were no outbuildings to be broken into. Maybe the intruder's goal wasn't the outbuildings. Maybe it was the house itself. ~ within Chapter 6
For more information on this book, series and/or any other books by Marta, then please check out her website.
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Who knew I would like Amish stories? I certainly didn't, or didn't realize that I would enjoy them as much as I did. But I guess when you look at it if it is a really good romance story and the plot really catches your interest then anything is possible. =0) And that's what I found with "Hidden" (part of the Sisters of the Heart series) by Shelley Shepard Gray.
This is the first story in the Sisters of the Heart series. I'm not sure if I'll read the others anytime soon, but after reading the first chapter the book held my interest and I couldn't put it down. It's an easy read (under 300 pages) about Anna, a woman who really has no direction in life and finds herself in an abusive relationship. After trying to talk to her family and police about her situation, and everyone not believing her, she turns to the last people she can think of her friend Katie's family who are apart of the Amish community in Pennsylvania. They take her in, and she earns her keep while hiding from her abuser and everyone she knows as she thinks her loved ones who inform him of her location. While doing so she grows as a person, gains a special relationship/friendship, and feels happier then she has in a long time. But what will she be able to go back to the life she just left??
It was a very good story ... if you don't mind it being full of detail yet short ... I give it 5 out of 5 stars. I'm not sure if I'll read the other stories in the series but you never know, since I did love the main characters in this book.
To find out more about this book, series, or other of her books ... then check out Shelley Shepard Gray's website.
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"When one door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often we look so long at the closed door that
we do not see the one which has been opened for us." - Helen Keller
Heartache, friendship, forgiveness .... are just some words to describe this touching story called "How Sweet It Is" by Alice Wisler. I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars ... definitely living up to it's name! It's about Deena whom is living in Atlanta, GA and moves into her grandfather's cabin in Bryson City, North Carolina after her life crashes (literally). And the best way to turn her life around for the better is by moving.
Once she gets to the town she meets a town of characters from -- a Dr. Seuss-quoting plumber named Jonas (my favorite character in this book), to her crazy aunt Regena Lorraine, to a group of misfit middle school students, and more ... with the cherry on top being a hot social worker named Zack who usually seems to know the perfect thing to say to her.
I really think everyone should read this ... it's a great book of redemption. To find more about this book check out Alice Wisler's website.
--------
Happy 25th Birthday to me today!! =0)
** This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
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This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
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Format: Paperback | Pages: 216 | Release Date: April 18, 2017 | Publisher: Harlequin : Love Inspired | Obtained: Wal-Mart
My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars.
