The Love Finds You In… series has been putting out some awesome titles in both contemporary and historical genres. This is one of the historical novels and I really enjoyed reading it. I really liked Catherine’s character for standing up and trying to protect her family. It wasn’t fair that she had to be in charge of her sisters at such a young age but she did everything in stride. I did feel her sisters were a bit spoiled because of Catherine’s desire to protect them but it was with good intentions. Her relationship with Corbin is played out very well. I was pleased that there was a history between the two of them and not because of some random chance meeting. The book, while having a historical setting, isn’t really a historical novel. There isn’t much reference to historical events that take place outside the town or that involve outside politics and world events. Instead the reader is immersed in the lifestyle of the nostalgic west and frontier when life was harder and the lifestyle was simpler. There is talk about the early use of the telephone in the town and it was enjoyable to read about how Catherine’s sister would listen in to conversations as the town operator.

I really enjoyed the mystery that ran through the story. It was done very well and kept me on my toes. I didn’t expect the culprit to be who it was and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a really fun read that’s light and combines the romance, historical setting and mystery perfectly. The story is written extremely well. It’s not very preachy, the characters are multidimensional and the storyline just flows very well. This book is great for a fall evening as you get all comfy with a warm blanket and hot cup of cocoa.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. I have been impressed with all the titles from the Love Finds You.. series and this book makes a great edition to the pack. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Lisa Harris in the future.

To me in this type of historical fiction, the actual “historical” part seems to take a backseat to the rest of the story. Other than the obvious details, this story could have very well taken place in a modern day setting with the same results. The historical setting just takes the reader back to a simpler time where life was harder and situations such as this were more cherished. Juliana is a young woman, who due to the death of her mother, has to take her life into her own hands and lands a job in a newspaper office. From there, she discovers more about life around the town and it helps to fuel her relationship with Josh. It was fun seeing the going-ons about the town and seeing what life was for like people back then. Juliana’s relationship with Marion is interesting because it seems like they might not really be as close friends as they thought. It would be interesting to see a book from her perspective.

While I enjoyed this book, I did feel a bit annoyed at times with Juliana and Josh. I didn’t really feel that much chemistry between them. What chemistry they did have seemed to come from a lot of unnecessary drama. It just seemed to me that several situations could have been totally avoided if the two had just sat down and talked and listened to the other. Instead, too many assumptions were made by both parties, causing friction and anger. There wasn’t really another storyline that rivaled Juliana and Josh’s. Their relationship was the central point of the book. Even though this book is the second in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. There are some references to the first book, but overall the characters don’t really interact so if you haven’t read the first book, you won’t get lost at all.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and I’ll be looking forward to the next book in the series. One more note, I absolutely love the color scheme of the cover of the book. The blues and greens are just gorgeous. You can’t see the back of the book here, but it’s just the loveliest shade of turquoise.

Christi Parrish’s first novel made me a huge fan of her writing and her sophomore release only solidifies this. Once again, Bethany House has done an amazing job at publishing another wonderful literary novel that rivals those in general fiction. Christa’s writing is honest and touches at the heart. The characters are so realistic that it’s like walking to your neighbor’s house and being able to hear their conversations. There were times during the book when it’s hard to read about the relationship between Benjamin and Abbi because it’s so realistic. He came back from Iraq a changed man, both physically and psychologically and they both have to live with those consequences. At times, their relationship is strained to the point of disintegration while at others you can tell that they love each other more than anything.

While Benjamin and Abbi’s story about the baby was interesting, what touched me most was Matthew’s story. His situation was tragic and he totally could have let that control his life. However instead he chose to live out his life and help out those around him. It gave me hope to see him interact with the couple and other people around the town. The story as whole gave me that feeling.

Something that really surprised me about the book is the fact that Benjamin is Indian American. Of course this shouldn’t really have shocked me since his last name was Patil but for some reason I initially glanced over that small fact. It wasn’t until he began thinking about his parents and their cultural background that it dawned on me. Furthermore, I realized that I believe this is the first time I’ve read about a male Indian American lead in a Christian book and even more so the fact that there is an interracial marriage in the story. Honestly, I’m actually glad that this fact is so subtle. It avoids any stereotypes and just acts like this is the normal everyday occurrence that doesn’t need any attention brought to it. I appreciated that no one at all in the entire book questions or brings up the subject. Cultural differences are pointed out but not once is there a character who is insulted by Ben and Abbi’s marriage. I wish more Christian fiction books would feature this style of writing.

Overall this was an extraordinary book. I didn’t want it to end as I was totally sucked into the book. If you haven’t already picked read Christa’s previous book, Home Another Way, you must pick it up along with this one. You will not be disappointed. HIGHLY recommended.

Bethany House has been on a roll with their contemporary literary fiction lately. They have been putting out books that directly touch you without being preachy or over dramatic. This latest book by Kathryn Cushman is no exception. Since I am not a mother, one would think that it would seem as it would be hard for me to understand exactly what Alisa is going through. How would I be able fully comprehend what it would mean to have a son who was living out your worst nightmare? This book however paints out Alisa’s hopes and fears so clearly, it was actually like I was in her thoughts. The story is completely engaging and I was sucked into the story. Even though it may not have been actions I would have done myself, I totally understand why Alisa did what she did. You will do anything and everything to protect the ones you love. Without spoiling anything, I just want to say that you shouldn’t expect a candy coated, happy ending here. This book portrays the real world and people face the consequences of their actions. This is way more powerful than a miracle ending where someone or something comes in to save the day. Also of interest, is the minor storyline between Alisa and her male married neighbor. I was intrigued as to where that plot would go and was surprised by the situation.

I’ve read several reviews where there have been comparisons between Cushman and Karen Kingsbury. Ok, in my honest opinion, Cushman’s books blow Kingsbury’s books out of the water. For starters, you don’t always have the happy ending in Cushman’s books. There isn’t unnecessary soap opera drama. The characters are actually believable. These books are just contemporary women’s fiction. They are stories that touch deep at your heart without have to resort to feeling as they are manipulating your tear ducts. VERY highly recommended.

As you know, Amish fiction is hit or miss with me. I don’t mind Amish fiction that emphasis the way of life but I don’t like reading stories where I feel as if I’m being preached at and made guilty because I don’t want to live the way they do. This novella collection has none of that. I would describe this book as comfort reading. The stories, which are all connected, are written by three authors who are known for their Amish stories. I really enjoyed reading this book. What I liked best about this series was that there was no conversion to the Amish faith. It’s a cliche I’m starting to abhor, that every Englischer who happens to wander in Amish land must become Amish. Thankfully none of that happens in this book. Instead what is shown is an introduction to the Amish way of life, which isn’t pushy or preachy. There is also a lot of food mentioned which is always a plus.

If there was any story I was iffy on, it would have to be Lydia’s story. This is mainly due to her stubbornness and refusal to listen to explanations. I just felt it created unnecessary drama that the story didn’t need. Other than that blip, I really had no problems as all with any of the stories. They all emphasized more on the story than trying to be Amish. Other than the obvious differences between their world and the Englisch world, I really didn’t see any differences between these stories and those set in modern world.

These three authors do very well with the novella situation. I don’t normally like novella stories but I felt that all the stories ended well and the characters were fully developed. I liked how the stories are all connected yet each is distinctly different. The best part is that this book gives a taste of each author’s style of writing and if you liked it makes you want to go and read the rest of their works. I feel that this team is good at writing together and I’ll be looking forward to reading more works from them, both individual stories and more combined efforts. Amish fans will really enjoy this book and there’s the added benefit of getting the reader into the Christmas spirit!

I guess it’s fate that almost every book I’ve read this year has something to do with a wedding. I also seem to compare every wedding story with my own. This story takes quite a different turn as it involves a daughter who has been estranged from her mother for over nine years. At first the reader is kept in the dark as to why Maisey despises Kendy so much. This wasn’t a problem for the most part, although I did feel at times as if I had somehow glanced over small details or had accidentally skimmed a few pages. As the reader learns the back story between the two women, things start to fall in place and you begin to feel for both of them. This is not your typical mother daughter story. It was actually quite refreshing to read a story about a mother and daughter who don’t get along. I say refreshing, because unfortunately not every single family has close relationships and to continually portray every Christan family as happy go lucky is deceiving. This book shows a realistic side of life that people can relate to.

The story is beautifully written and cuts deep to the heart. The narration switches from Kendy and Maisey throughout the story but it flows naturally. What I really enjoyed best about the novel is that the reader sees how everyone is both at fault and not at fault at the same time. The blame is placed on both parties as well as no one. It’s a wonderful story at the power of communication and forgiveness. Jackina Stark has absolutely wowed me with her first two novels. Never have been so impressed with a beginning author’s works. She has really taken the field by storm and I cannot wait to read more from her. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

To be honest, I was a bit hesitant when picking up this book. I’ve read one of the author’s books in the past, and had a bit of trouble reading the subject matter in the book. It was enough for me not to be able to read the other two books in the series. Therefore I was worried that this book would be like that. Luckily, as far as I could tell, there’s no connection and the storyline was one that rather enjoyable. I liked reading about Beth, Lizzy and Jonah. All three of them had very interesting story lines and I liked seeing the connections between the three. I thought it was interesting how the Amish portrayed in this story were allowed to be a bit more modern and freely use phones and other electronics. This is mainly due to the business but it’s always fascinating to read.

The problem with novellas is that because they are short, sometimes the story feels a bit rushed. The author has the hard task of making the entire story come across plus give the characters enough time to grow and develop in a shorter amount of words. In this case, it works well for the most part. I personally would have enjoyed seeing the confusion of identity between Beth and Jonah last longer. It would have been more interesting for them to think they were writing to who they were picturing instead of the actual person. As it was, the illusion ended too quickly. I’m still not ok with the way that the Amish seem to handle heavy subjects. Beth’s fiance sounds like he had serious controlling and abusive issues but she never tells anyone this because it would look bad on them. This type of behavior makes me very wary of the community portrayed in Woodsmall’s books. This book seems to be marketed as a Christmas story but I’m not really seeing it. Aside from a few references to the holiday in the book, it’s almost not even an issue. I would classify it as more a winter time story. Overall, it’s a nice short read perfect for a fall or winter afternoon. If you are a fan of Amish fiction you will enjoy this story.

I am split on how I feel about Amish books. On one hand, I feel like they are comfort reading. I enjoy reading about the Amish lifestyle and how they live their life in simplicity. I also adore reading about their food, I get stuffed just by reading one book. On the other hand, sometimes I disagree with their spiritual beliefs and also that the author seems to be very one sided in presenting the lifestyle. I have heard that some books have totally fabricated or over exaggerated events to make the books appeal more to readers. With this book, I honestly wanted to really enjoy it. The beginning of the book totally captivated me. There’s a bakery (food!), an interesting situation (normal teen girls forced to live in Amish house), and then the fact that the girls were from Virginia Beach (my hometown area). The writing is very engaging and it moves really fast. You get sucked into the story as you want to find out what happens to the girls and their new lifestyle.

However there were many problems though I had while reading it. Enough, that I almost gave up reading the book in frustration. The main one was the fact that Rebecca would not let Jessica and Lindsay go to school because they are too old according to the Amish. What bugs me about this is why she didn’t’ tell them this BEFORE they got back to Pennsylvania? It was said she spent a month with them before traveling back and even then she was hoping it wouldn’t come up until later. Also her husband and her had agreed that the girls did not have to become Amish so I don’t’ understand why they couldn’t have let them just go to school. This is especially because Jessica wants to go, and her mother had emphasized that going to college was always important. This really annoyed me because people should NOT be denied an education when they want it. How would they have felt if the situation had been reversed and Amish kids were forced to live in modern world and do things they didn’t want just because they now lived in a new household? Also, Daniel really got on my nerves with his flip-floppy behavior. On one hand he’s annoyed with Jessica because she won’t adapt to the Amish lifestyle and stop being worldly and corrupting his family thus making him look bad. However he won’t talk to her and won’t tell her exactly what he wants. I cannot see how he can blame her for doing something wrong when she didn’t know she wasn’t supposed to! Then he’s irritated with Lindsay because she DOES want to fit in with the Amish and learn their way of life. He thinks it’s just a phase and refuses to encourage her in anything she does. Personally he just seems like he’s not ready to be a father to teenagers because he doesn’t have a clue of how to handle them at all. There were also issues I had with the Amish community itself. However the author did add a note in the beginning saying that she had changed some of the traditions to fit the storyline.

I know it sounds as if I really had problems with this book. I’m not bashing it all. I just had problems with the way some issues were handled because I felt they were handled wrongly. Sometimes I feel that certain books seem to be pushing a certain lifestyle and try to make the reader feel guilty for not living that way. I sort of got that feeling with this book. This probably was because it seemed that everyone was against Jessica for wanting to not change to the Amish lifestyle and I totally agreed with her. I did enjoy reading about the bakery so I’m looking forward to reading more about it in the future. I just hope for the next book that these issues have been resolved. While this book may not have been for me, if you are a fan of the Amish lifestyle you will enjoy this book.

What I love about this series is that it combines everything I love in just one story. There’s the chick lit style of writing. Then there is the talk of travel to places I’ve always wanted to visit. Next there is the glorious food that thankfully does not cause you to gain weight from reading about it. Finally, the wonderful characters that keep you enthralled and always wanting more. In this installment, Lexi returns to Seattle from her learning experience as a chef in Paris. Now back at home, she is given the opportunity to run her own bakery. Of course things don’t run as smoothly as hoped and Lexi must struggle with her dreams as well as being practical. Reading this book was like watching Ace of Cakes with a French kick. It’s filled with wonderful pastries, cakes and all sorts of delectable treats. Lexi is a character I would love to know in real life. Her experiences throughout the series have been fun to read and it’s been a delight to watch her fulfill her dreams.

The romance in this story was really great as well. I don’t know how Lexi was able to make her final choice between the two men. Of course there were little situations that helped out this dilemma but otherwise it would have been incredibly difficult to pick between the two of them. I also really liked her relationship with Philippe’s daughter. It’s very sweet. There is absolutely no fault with this book other that I am really really sad that this is the last book in the series. I feel as if I’ve really gotten to know Lexi and about baking and the French culture through these stories. You must be careful not to be around food while reading this book or you will find the pages of the book covered in crumbs. If you are looking for a chick lit book, are a foodie, or love to travel, then this series is absolutely perfect for you. I cannot praise it enough. This book has inspired me to go find a bakery, preferably a French bakery and indulge in at least one item mentioned in this book. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

This story is very different to read. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started reading. Steven isn’t exactly a likable character. He has a lot of faults, some he will readily admit, others he doesn’t seem to notice that he has. In situations with his family, I especially felt for his wife and daughter and understand their reactions to him. As for Andy, to me it felt like he was a guardian angel who appeared out of nowhere, who always had the right things to say. His character is never really fully developed in my opinion so I didn’t feel as if I really got to know him. Steven seems to grow throughout the book as he learns from Andy’s teachings and his own spiritual walk, but then he stumbles. It’s refreshing though because it shows an imperfect character.

Multi author books have always been a curiosity with me especially when there are more than two authors. I’m always not really sure why three or more authors are needed to write a simple book. It can be good and sometimes it can lead to disastrous results. I would have to say for the most part it worked well for this book. I say for the most part because while the story was able to flow fluidly for most of the book, there were times where you could tell it was written by a different author. This would mainly happen when a character would go off in a long speech. It would start to sound a bit preachy and almost as if I was listening to a sermon which I have never been fond of in a book. During these scenes, I felt like skimming over because I don’t like being preached at while I was reading. The story scenes were fine, I just felt that these long monologues could have been handled differently. Overall, it’s an interesting story. It’s one to think about long after you’ve finished reading. I wouldn’t classify this as the next Shack, but it does good at making one ponder about their life.