The Wonder of Your Love is the story of love between a more mature couple who have both lost their lifemates. Katie Ann was deserted by her husband for another woman and met a tragic end. She has a young son that his father never saw. They had tried for quite a few years to have a child together and now at 40 Katie will have to raise their child alone. Eli Detweiler's wife died leaving him with 6 children to raise and he did raise them and resisted friends and family's pushing him to marry soon after his wife's death. Now that his children are adults, he wants to travel and see the world without the obligation of a wife and more children. Once again, friends and family will push him to meet and consider Katie Ann to be his new wife. There is a spark between Katie Ann and Eli, but do they really want to marry and start a new life together?

This story was very interesting to read. The use of cell phones for other then emergencies or business surprised me. The various friendships in the story kept my interest, that and all the various interactions between the characters. I've enjoyed reading Amish stories and this one is one of the best.

This book was provided to me to read and review by Booksneeze.com

A Lancaster County Christmas

Christmas usually brings a sense of happiness and joy to many people. Mattie Riehl  has been hoping to tell her husband Sol that she is with child. A visit to the doctor did not bring the report that she has been hoping for. Jaime and C.J. are an English (non Amish) couple looking forward to a Christmas cruise with Jaime's father. Jaime was also at the doctor's office waiting to get a prescription to renew her sleeping pills that she has been taking since her mother died. When Mattie's son leaves a valued handmade whistle at the doctor's office, Jaime is asked to drop it off on her way home. Both couples meet but a car mishap and a big snowstorm keeps them together longer then any of them wish to be at this time.

The story is a lovely tale about the love between two very different couples. The additional story of how the Riehl's offer their home to the English couple to stay in during an emergency gives us a view into Amish life. The Jaime character was more then annoying to me and detracted from enjoying this book as much as I would love to have been able to say. All in all though, the book is a good short read and is worth reading.

This book was provided to me to read and review by Litfuse Publishing Group.

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Charlotte Beck is not like other young women her age. She doesn't seem to want to do all the partying most young women looked forward to around the late 1880's. These parties brought the eligible bachelors and the lovely young ladies together to check each other out. The ladies looked to make a good match with a nice rich husband thus keeping up appearances and social standing. Charlotte wants to attend college and join her father's business but her behavior has finally exasperated Mr. Beck and he has an offer that she can't refuse or so it seems. He has a man in his sights for Charlotte. An astronomer from England you also happens to be a Viscount and his family business is in dire need of saving by Mr. Beck's business interests. If Charlotte will marry the Viscount, she will be permitted to attend college and the money from some business transactions between the Beck's business and the Viscount's family business will save his family from ruin. The only problem is that they both seem to not like each other very much.

This is a very cute story that I really did enjoy very much. Isn't it funny to imagine a father choosing who his daughter should marry and she goes along with it to get what she wants. I can't see this happening in our modern times, but I suppose there are areas of the world that still allow the father in a family to choose mates for his daughters, how sad that is in my humble opinion. Buffalo Bill Cody is a character in this book and the interaction of Charlotte and Colonel Cody is a fun part of this story. I always enjoy reading about the not so distant past and a little romance thrown in makes a very enjoyable read.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Hidden Affections by Delia Parr

 

Annabelle Tyler has been betrayed. She has lost her parents and the scoundrel that she married has taken her inheritance and divorced her. The year is 1831 and divorce is a terrible mark against a woman in society. Because she is divorced, she can no longer teach and the people in the area where she was living, are not kind to her. On a trip to Philadelphia to start a new job in a candy store, the coach she was riding in is attacked by robbers and she is handcuffed to a male passenger who turns out to be a very rich man from Philadelphia named Harrison Graymoor, a known playboy type person. They spend the cold night together waiting for help to come. The local sheriff and other men from the area take them to a minister insisting that they are doing the right thing to force them to marry.

I enjoyed this romance story very much. I could almost imagine this fictional story actually happening way back when. It is a bit difficult to accept that anyone would be forced to marry a stranger under threats from the sheriff, but once I got past that idea, I just enjoyed reading the story and learning how love developed between Annabelle and Harrison. There are a lot of twists and turns and interesting characters in this book. Historical romances give us a chance to see how different things were in the past. This book is a worthwhile read and another fine story from Delia Parr.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers to read and review.

Spring For Susannah

Susannah Underhill has little prospects for marriage and she is alone. Because of her situation she decides to accept the offer of marriage to her minister's homesteading brother in the Dakota territory. Susannah is not exactly ready for what awaits her. Jesse, her new husband lives in a very small soddy, in a place with distant neighbors. Gradually it becomes apparent that the petite Susannah is more then up to the daily jobs that await her. As the daughter of a veterinarian, she has had a lot of experience working with animals, some who need immediate medical help. This ability to help animals comes in handy with the various animals who need attention when there is no vet around. Susannah also proves herself by the meals that she makes and how she makes the tiny soddy a home for herself and her new husband Jessie. Susannah's new husband is gentle and supportive toward her and does not rush her into anything that she is not quite ready for. Eventually she is expecting a baby and even this does not slow down her ability to work hard and keep the home running for Jessie and herself. An attack of grasshoppers causes a disaster for the farmers of the territory and Jessie decides to go off and look for work away from the soddy home and farm that he and Susannah live on. This causes all sorts of troubles for the young couple, but they both find their own ways to survive until they can be together again.

This was a joy to read. It always makes me wonder how people survived back before all the modern conveniences that we now can't live without. Deep inside all of us is a strength to deal with whatever we must face in our lives and our faith and belief in God will always keep us from giving into despair. If you enjoy reading about these pioneers and the lives that they lead, then this book is one you will want to read.

This book was provided to me, to read and review by Litfuse Publicity Group.

My Foolish Heart

My Foolish Heart is the name of a syndicated talk radio show that the character Isadora Presley hosts. Even though Isadora or Issy as she is known to her friends, gives advice to the lovelorn, she has never even been on a date. Issy works on her radio show from right inside her home. Issy's listeners are not aware that she is afraid to leave her house but does manage to go into her yard and do gardening and even force herself to get a little exercise jogging around the block. Issy was in a tragic accident that took the life of her mother and put her father in a nursing home and on a respirator. Since that time, she has been suffering from panic attacks. When a new neighbor moves in next door, things begin to change for Issy. The new neighbor also begins to call her radio show and neither of them realize that they are neighbors, not just a name on the radio program.
I enjoyed reading this book. The support shown to Issy by her friends and father was very heartwarming. They all encouraged her to keep trying to do a little more and test herself beyond her own safe barriers. At times I couldn't help but think that Issy was a bit selfish,  her father was in the nursing home and she couldn't go and visit him. She wouldn't go out and buy some food, instead her friend had to bring her food and donuts. In a way it was almost like some people were just enabling her to pity herself and let her hide at home. I know she was traumatized by the accident and having her mother die in her arms, but it seemed to take a long time for her to finally break free and embrace life again. Grief and horrific occurances affect each person differently, so I guess she just needed time to come to terms with her problems. The story is really a very good read and I highly recommend it to all.

This book was provided to me by Litfuse Publicity Group to read and review.

Win a Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart

Win a Romantic Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart!

Susan May Warren is thrilled to announce the release of her latest Deep Haven book, My Foolish Heart!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

To celebrate this charming novel about a dating expert who's never had a date, Susan has put together a romantic night on the town for one lucky couple. One grand prize winner will receive a Miss Foolish Heart prize package worth over $200!

The winner of the Romantic Night on the Town Prize Pack will receive:

* A $100 Visa Gift Card (For Dinner)

* A $100 Gift Certificate to a Hyatt/Marriott Hotel

* The entire Deep Haven series

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 16th. The winner will be announced that evening during Susan’s Miss Foolish Heart Party on Facebook! Susan will be chatting with guests, hosting a book club chat about My Foolish Heart, testing your Deep Haven trivia skills, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, donuts, and more!) Don't miss the fun and BRING YOUR FRIENDS!