Review: Murder, Plainly Written by:M Steele

 

About the Book:

 First novel in The Plain Order Ink Society series, in which Amish writers crack the case of local mysteries.
 
Sadie Lynch thought inheriting her late Amish aunt’s candle shop was a blessing—a chance to leave her stalled writing career behind and find a fresh start. But running a Plain business when she's not Amish isn’t exactly filling her store with customers—especially when the local minister insists she sell out.
 
Sadie, who doesn’t want to leave, thankfully meets Wanda—an Amish woman with a secret obsession. As Wanda continues to visit the candle shop, an unexpected partnership blooms when Wanda agrees to help Sadie’s shop in exchange for writing advice.
 
But the grand reopening of the candle shop takes a deadly turn when the body of the Amish minister is discovered behind the counter. Now Sadie is the only suspect, prompting Wanda and the Plain Order Ink Society to try helping her solve the mystery.
 
But in this Plain community, secrets burn brighter than flames—and nothing is as simple as it seems.

My Review: 

 The Amish are more of a traditional fan base sort of organization. I'm joking. But they truly are traditional in their Amish ways. Its hard to break with a traditional mindset. Sadie needed a break , a wide spot in the road if you will. Something needed to change and change quickly. But this change was huge. A definite stop right out of Sadie's comfort zone. 

 Sadie's aunt passes away and she inherits her Amish aunt's candle shop. Sadie isn't Amish, but this may be the escape from life she needs. So because she isn't Amish the town quickly turns on her because she isn't Amish and they know it. She doesn't want to give up so easily but if the shop doesn't start doing better she may not have a choice.

 Sadie meets Wanda and she and Wanda form a partnership. In order to help them both they decide to barter services and hopefully this will give Sadie the boost she needs. But soon there is a murder and everyone is looking straight to Sadie--"the newcomer". But Sadie's unlikely friendship may be the help she needs even before she knew that she needed it.

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

Review: The Reluctant Healer of Halifax by:T Todd

 

About the Book:

 Her Family, Her Home, Her Future—All Leveled in One Thunderous Explosion

When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Three days ago, Pearline Campbell's family was whole and Oliver Hamilton still loved her. But upon returning to Halifax disfigured and shellshocked, Oliver ended their relationship. Then came Thursday, December 6, 1917, when the Halifax harbor was leveled by a tremendous explosion. . .and Pearline fears nothing will ever be whole again. Her parents are dead, her brother is missing, and her sister refuses to speak. Pearline must fortify herself to open her home to needy orphans, including an unidentified baby. Where can she find the strength for each new day as misery grips the city?

My Review: 

 How awful it must of been to wake up to a nightmare? One that was shocking, surprising, and will forever be etched in your memory. The people in Halifax, Nova Scotia will never forget it and the people that lost family during that incident most definitely won't.  

 Pearline and her family were firsthand to this experience that shook their entire existence and life as they know it.  But Pearline lost a lot more that day, many of whom she will never be able to recover. So she sets to work to help with the wounded and overnight her life transforms to a recovery worker and caretaker. Sometimes it seems that it meshed so well that she forgets her previous life as she knew it but it is still there under the surface. A reckoning that she isn't ready to acknowledge let alone think about. 

 Oliver is in his own personal prison one that he will never wake up from or agree to. We follow along as the two of them navigate uncharted waters that have turned the entire world upside down, including their own.

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

  

Review: The Bachelor Spy by:P Basham

 

About the Book:

 Spies Infiltrate Havensbooke Hall. . .and Another Mystery Adventure Begins

Stephen Blake's life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1915 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall—his cousin Lord Astley’s estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital—he’s sent there to uncover the plot.

Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.

Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out?

My Review: 

 Ya know time waits on no one. It is ever turning and evolving and we must go along with it whether we want to or not. But the war in England had everyone by the throat and Blake and Grace are no different. They get tossed to and fro no matter the reason. Blake is ready to help his family at any cost while Lady Grace is tossed in for good measure.

 Not only is she being exposed to people and events that sort of go across the grain of a Lady but she is taught to manage no matter what. Seeing the war torn England and knowing that the enemy is close by sends shivers down her spine. But is she brave enough to help Blake find the answers they both need to move this along? 

 But with everything happening around thing and the thought s that ravage their minds it soon to reveal itself not to be such an open and shut case. 

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

  

Review: The Girl from Tomorrow's Town by:N Musch

 

About the Book:

 Past and Present Collide on the Railway
 
When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Lily Mae Dodge flees Wyoming by night to find her mother, who sent her west on an orphan train ten years ago. After she's arrested in Chicago, help comes from a man with a rare vision impairment whom she only just met on a train. Francis Basnett is a roustabout for the famous Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, where he helps Lily gain employment. Their friendship grows into more, and it seems Lily is closer than ever to finding her mother. . .until the night a rogue troop train slams into the stalled circus train, killing dozens and splintering hope.
 
More from the Enduring Hope
The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey
The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn
The Caregiver at Wounded Knee by Debby Lee

My Review: 

Y'all! I just don't trust this people affiliated with the circus back then. So I'm already on high alert when this Francis Basnett enters the picture. I just feel like he will lead Lily Mae in the wrong direction. 

 So back in the day shortly after the Civil War era there were traveling circus' that real hired just anyone off the street so Lily was guaranteed a job by this Francis person. But trains were also robbed during this time quite a bit. So Lily finds herself in a precarious situation before she ever gets to her stop.

 I'm a girls girl so I'm always cheering girls on. Anytime we can succeed without failing I'm all over it. This series has been phenomenal in that it shows us overcoming so much. 

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

  

Review: Not Precisely Mr Knightley by:C Miller

 

About the Book:

 Can the Matchmaker Find True Love?
Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who codesigned the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ's head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry social circles and starts dating the son of a TV mogul. But Jordan's feelings have grown from friendship to more. He determines to protect her by exposing Eric Churchill for the two-timer he is, finally agreeing to attend a function with her at the Sydney Opera House. But his best intentions go awry when EJ is embarrassed and runs for the security of home, small-town roots, and The Silver Teapot Café, feeling like Jane Austen's chastised Emma--only without her Mr. Knightley.
Don't miss book 1 in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy

My Review: 

 So this series has got me, y'all! Literally, got a hold on me. You have to read this series. So sweet and darlin'. I love it so much! So excited for the next book in the series. Okay let's get into this review. Just want to say the book covers are spot on. Okay, lets get into it.

 EJ and her besty Jordan designed a dating app called Dream Match. EJ meanwhile starts dating Eric and Jordan being her best friend knows a thing or two about him. He is all about protecting his best friend. He has to get through to her, no matter what. So as things twist and turn will EJ and Jordan be able to fix this between them? Its a page turner and leaves you wanting more.

 **Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

  

Review: A Heart on Consignment by:M Steele

 

About the Book:

 Love Is Not for Sale
 
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
 
Despite knowing her parents are getting desperate for their only child to marry and give them grandchildren, Salina Stoltzfus is weary of seeking the perfect match. Every time she thinks she has found “the one,” he marries another.
 
The best way to forget you are the last woman any man in Havenlee, Indiana, wants to hitch his buggy too is to find something passionate to focus on. When the area is overrun with donations after a tragic storm, Salina suggests opening a consignment shop. The deacon supports the idea and offers his visiting nephew to help set things up.
 
After the embarrassment of having his fiancée call off their wedding, Seth Weaver takes his mother’s advice to leave Kentucky to stay with his uncle for a while. Unfortunately, Seth knows nothing about building furniture in his uncle’s factory, which is the only reason he agrees to help ready the consignment shop next door—not because of the little chatterbox working inside.
 
When Salina’s parents are caught meddling in her love life, she comes up with a crazy idea that might gain her some time and space. Could it be the road to happiness is paved with good intentions and epic fails—until we cross paths when the one made especially for us?

My Review: 

 I know from experience that waiting for your child to find "the one" can be heart wrenching. Mostly because they are heart broken over not finding their person when they think they should and kissing all the toads leading up to the right one. Salina is getting tired of waiting for that person. She knows her parents worry that she'll never provide them with a grandchild but she has grown very weary that she will ever find that person.

 So she sets to work to keep her mind, heart, and soul occupied. Salina feels that her community's recent tragedy will help her greatly and the community, overall. She opens a consignment shop and this little shop helps Seth get out of working with is uncle. 

 The two of them embark on something that may be set in the stars and point them both in the right direction once and for all.

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

Review: The Beginner's Quilt by:W Brunstetter

 

About the Book:

 A Lifelong Love for Quilting Starts in 1967, Arthur, Illinois

Despite the best efforts of Emma Bontrager’s mother, Emma hasn’t learned much of anything that will prepare her to be an Amish wife. Therefore, she’s sent to Arthur, Illinois, to be taught by her paternal grandmother. Though she would rather be fishing, hiking, or playing baseball, Emma finally listens to her grandmother and even finds she enjoys working on a Tree of Life quilt. Having met a nice young man, she now feels more prepared for marriage. But rumors swirl around his character, and it looks like she’ll be returning to Indiana with a broken heart. Even so, her time in Illinois has ignited a new passion for quilting that will last for years.

- A stand-alone prequel to The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and Half-Stitched, the musical.

 

My Review: 

 What do you do when you arent like the other Amish women in your community? You dont like to cook, clean or sew. So Emma's mother is at her wits end and sends Emma to her grandmother to be put under her charge and to hopefully learn some things so that she can eventually marry and be a good Amish wife.

 Emma endures the long hours of quilting but she finally discovers she actually likes it. Its not long before a young man notices Emma. But the talk around town isnt so favorable and she is afraid that this is just another missed opportunity for marriage.  

 Ivan hasnt made the best of life and the opportunities he has had but he is trying to turn his life around. If only other people would see that. He really enjoys Emma's company. Could she be the one his heart desires?

This was a really great story and Im excited to see where it leads.

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.