book review

Lilly Margolis escaped from her domineering mother’s household to exert her independence and find the acceptance she lacked at home.  A beautiful flapper, she finds her security in all the wrong places until stumbling upon the forgetful society matron Betty Ruth Burnside.  A twist of fate convinces Betty Ruth’s son Cullen to take Lilly in temporarily, but this wounded war vet is locked in his own world of past regrets and doesn’t want to risk damaging his mother’s fragile memory further.  In the end, will Betty Ruth’s proposed cross-country journey grant them all the forgiveness and acceptance they’ve desired?

Set in the 1920s, Lillies in Moonlight is rich with historical detail.  Pittman creates lifelike characters in such a realistic world that you can’t help but cheer them along.  The story’s twists and turns add to the suspense of the ending.  The messages of forgiveness, love, and acceptance come through loud and clear through the story of Lilly and Cullen in a natural, non-preachy way.

I enjoyed reading this book.  I’m definitely going to seek out Pittman’s other books!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.

Rose Schrock is a plain woman with a simple plan. Determined to find a way to support her family and pay off her late husband’s debts, she sets to work to convert the basement of her Amish farmhouse into an inn. While her family, especially her cranky mother-in-law, is unhappy with Rose’s big idea, her friend and neighbor, Galen King, supports the decision and he helps with the conversion. As Rose finalizes preparations for visitors, she prays. She asks God to bless each guest who stays at the Inn at Eagle Hill. As the first guest arrives and settles in, Rose is surprised to discover that her entire family is the one who receives the blessings, in the most unexpected ways. And she’s even more surprised when that guest decides to play matchmaker for Galen King.

With her signature plot twists combined with gentle Amish romance, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites readers back to Stoney Ridge for fresh stories of simple pleasures despite the complexity of life. Fisher’s tale of God’s providence and provision will delight her fans and create many new ones. Welcome to the Inn at Eagle Hill.

I couldn’t put The Letters down.  I love the story that Fisher has crafted.  It’s full of love, loss, and new beginnings.  I’ve never heard of an Amish family running a bed-and-breakfast, but the premise of what might cause this type of intense interaction with the outside world is fascinating.  

I appreciated Rose’s positive outlook in the face of extreme disappointment.  That is a true gift, and she shared it – not only with her family, but with others that she encountered.  Her wish to have her inn be a blessing to guests instead of merely saving her family financially is amazing.  

Rose is not the only interesting character in the story.  Lydia also faces major problems, and with Roses’s help, she climbs out of bed to face another day.  In her situation, I’m not sure that retaliation, or at least some shouting, wouldn’t be on my list of immediate reactions, but Lydia remains a lady throughout her ordeal.  Her resilience teaches a wonderful lesson.

I’m looking forward to the next book in the Inn at Eagle Hill series.  I can’t wait to find out what sort of new mischief Mim finds herself in or to read the next part of Galen’s story.  These characters were loveable and real – and their situations, while maybe not loveable, were certainly realistic.  

My favorite type of story is one in which the main characters get knocked down and figure out how to get back up.  The lessons those characters learn are often ones that we all  need to learn – well, me, anyway.  Everyone in this story – except perhaps notably Anna – grow and do so with grace.  

This is another Fisher winner – but then again, is there any other kind?

You can read other reviews on this bloggy hop here or purchase your own copy here.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, includingAmish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your iPhone or iPad! Download the Free App! http://bit.ly/134r55G

Learn more about Lily at http://adventuresoflilylapp.com/

I received a free copy of the Letters from LitFuse publicity in exchange for an honest review.

 In her wildest dreams, spunky and impulsive nineteen-year-old Mary Kate Lapp never imagined herself behind a schoolteacher’s desk. A run-in (literally) with the schoolteacher compels her to act as a substitute teacher, just as her restless desire to see the world compels her to apply for a passport . . . just in case. The only thing of interest to M.K. in the sleepy Amish community of Stoney Ridge is the unexplained death of a sheep farmer that coincided with the arrival of a mysterious young man into the community. Frustrated that no one takes the crime seriously, she takes matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, as tends to be the case for M.K., she jumps headlong into trouble.

The Lesson has more twists and turns than a rabbit hole, keeping readers turning pages in total suspense.  I loved it!  With a wide cast of familiar characters who become totally intertwined in some really creative and zany ways, this book is both heart-wrenching and fun.

M.K. is almost grown up, nearing twenty years old and still feeling restless.  This translates into adventures for the readers as she careens around on her scooter and takes quick action on snap decisions.  Because this carelessness is balanced with true heart, M.K. makes a loveable lead character as well as a fun one.  

These adventures and side trails translate into what makes Fisher’s books so wonderful.  With each character innately involved in advancing the plot and putting their own spin on M.K.’s antics, the Stoney Ridge series is unlike any other Amish book that I’ve read. With meaningful spiritual lessons wrapped in a fun package, The Lesson is unique but packed with realistic action.  Simply put, The Lesson is captivating.

To learn more about The Lesson, purchase it here.

 

When a socialite from the nation’s capital embarks on a journey to the Wild West, her life is changed forever.A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general’s daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love

The Wild West has always been my era.  It’s the time period in history that has fascinated me since I watched Little House on the Prairie with my parents and grandparents.  There’s just something about the independence and the undeveloped, wild beauty that draws me – and apparently I’m not the only one, because it drew thousands during the frontier era.

That very rawness is what captivates in this story.  You can’t help but wonder what the suitable beau has up his sleeve, because it’s obviously not just his elbow, and Josephine’s developing maturity is worthy of a cheer.  It’s the sheer possibilities of the story that delight.  In Washington Josephine is shuttered into following her mother’s expectations of a proper young socialite, but in the West anything is possible.  She can throw her sensibilities to the wind and dare to dream, and it’s the hope for a fireworks-shooting romance that will keep you turning page after page.  

I loved the real history tucked neatly into this story.  The tidbits are relatively unknown but real and add a distinct flair to the plot.  These new characters and stories keep the reader on her figurative toes, which must have been how Josephine felt when venturing off into this wild new land.  

Whether you come down on the side of the immigrant pulling himself up by his bootstraps or prefer to read about princesses strong enough to tough out the proverbial pea, you’ll find what you’re looking for in The Journey of Josephine Cain. 

Click here to read other reviews on this bloggy hop or here to purchase your own copy now.

A transporting historical novel about a promising young inventor, his struggle with loss, and the attractive teacher who changes his life, all set against the razzle-dazzle of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

 

Chief of Police Jonah Westfall typically fights only small-town crime in Redford, Colorado, but a series of animal mutilations and a rising drug problem bring about new challenges for his small  force.  Westfall struggles to hold onto his sobriety while he continues to make peace with his past, which includes Tia Manning – a childhood friend with whom he shares a stormy history.  Can Westfall restore peace to his beloved town – before someone gets hurt?

I LOVE the way that Heitzmann weaves this story!  The cast of characters grows slowly, as do their connections, which truly brings to life each person and their own personal story.  The characters each have his/her fatal flaw, which serves to make them seem real, instead of packaged and plastic.  Each one has his or her own well-developed style and story to tell, yet all cause the reader to ponder one main question: how do we deal with the pain of being hurt?  Each character in the story reacts in a different way to past pain, and seeing the consequences of each can be eye-opening.  Past mistakes are not glossed over or seen as ‘acceptable’ sins, but are viewed for what they are – dark problems with far-reaching consequences.

For a Christian book, there is very little so-called Christian ‘stuff’ here.  There is no preaching or outright teaching, but the faith of the author – and the characters who have it – is evident in the twist of the story.  Manning and Westfall do discuss their faith a few times, but those discussions are used more as a springboard for solving relationship issues and understanding the choices they had made in the past few years.  Someone looking for a Bible verse on every page should, perhaps, look elsewhere; but for someone who wants to read an incredible, suspenseful, realistic story about people who have faith, this is the book to read.

I received a free copy of this book from Multnomah’s Books for Bloggers program in exchange for an honest review.

Trevor McDaniel is a former Olympian who risked his life to save a toddler from a mountain lion – and gained an unlikely admirer in the process.  A prodigious artist, Natalie deals with her eidetic mind the best way she knows how – even though it puts her life in danger – and is the toddler’s aunt.  Trevor and Natalie see sparks when thrown together – but will things change when Natalie suddenly is given care of her still-recovering nephew?  When pictures of children in danger from across the nation begin showing up in Trevor’s mailbox – and then mysterious dangers show up in Redford – can police chief Jonah Westfall piece together the connection to Trevor before a child – or someone Trevor loves – ends up dead?

Indelible is a fantastic suspense that explores the mysteries of the mind while surviving real life in the physical world.  Heitzmann draws the reader in and keeps them engaged through an ever-expanding cast of characters, each with a curious role in the plot.  Indelible follows Indivisible, another book set in Redford, but is not a typical sequel.  Both books could be read independently with no problems, but because the character set overlaps, a depth is added to the story that would be difficult to add otherwise.

Heitzmann writes from the perspective of both admirer and Trevor, demon and archangel.  She explores perspective in an interesting way – are things ever what they seem?  Is anyone absolutely anything?  Can people be black and white?  How much of a role do circumstances play in what we become, and how can we overcome them?

I’ve read many of Heitzmann’s other books, and I’ve loved them all.  Indelible did not disappoint.  Once begun, I could not put it down – and so I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next.

Shall we see more of Redford?  I hope so.

*I received a free copy of Indelible from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.

 Patience Creighton has dedicated herself to the Rosemere School for Young Ladies. But the return of the enigmatic master of the estate puts everything she loves at risk.

Bright, sensible Patience knows what is expected of her. At twenty-five, her opportunity for a family of her own has passed, so she invests herself in teaching at her father’s school for girls. When her father dies suddenly and her brother moves away to London, she is determined to make the school successful.

Confirmed bachelor William Sterling also knows what is expected of him, but mistake after mistake has left him teetering on ruin’s edge. As master of Eastmore Hall he owns a great deal of property — including the land where Rosemere School is located — but possesses little money to manage its upkeep. When debtors start calling, he is desperate to find a new source of income, even if it means sacrificing Rosemere.

When a fire threatens the school grounds, William must decide to what lengths he is willing to go to protect his birthright. And when Patience’s brother returns with a new wife to take over management of the school, Patience suddenly finds herself unsure of her calling. After a surprising truth about William’s past is brought to light, both William and Patience will have to seek God’s plans for their lives-and their hearts.

What would you do if your entire world was crashing down around you?  That’s what this book ultimately was about to me.  Patience is a stellar lead who’s strong, capable, and determined, but she secretly longs for love.  Reading about her struggles to maintain the integrity of the school in face of danger, as well as hide her missing brother’s absence and care for her depressed mother was fascinating.  A strong character, one who will push on with wisdom and integrity in the face of adversity, is my very favorite kind, and Patience fits that description to a ‘T.’

William isn’t so bad, either.  Although it was his carelessness and greed that placed him into his present troubles, he doesn’t try to avoid them, but instead faces his problems head-on and does his best to deal with them with all of the wisdom and experience he now possesses.  It’s this very attitude – this recognition of failure and a determination to be different – that makes him admirable in my eyes.  He has become the gentleman he never wanted to be, somewhat in spite of himself, but now that he has, he takes to the role beautifully.

The Headmistress of Rosemere drew me in from the very first page.  With a mysterious and dangerous late-night encounter as your introduction, Ladd set the bar high for suspense and intrigue throughout the book, but better yet, she topped it.  I enjoyed the story so much that I finished it in a single sitting.  I couldn’t wait to find out if William would work out his problems and how Patience would hold on through her difficulties and if they would ever find their way to each other.

 If you enjoy romantic historical fiction but also appreciate a story with an edge, The Mistress of Rosemere is definitely the book for you.

You can read other reviews on this bloggy hop here or purchase your own copy now here.