An Amish Kitchen - 2 stars

I have read books by Beth Wiseman in the past, and I enjoy her writing. I guess it was my high expectations of her writing that made Amish Kitchen such a disappointment to me.

I have promised my readers to me honest with my reviews, and it is for that reason that this review is painful to write.

I struggled with this book. I struggled to finish it. I found the stories superficial and simple. It seemed like high school writing, instead of writing done by published authors. It seemed that in effort to make a collection of short stories, they sacrificed quality for quantity.

I thought the stories were sweet, but oh so predictable.

Granted, this book does give you more insight into the Amish culture, so that is a perk.

I encourage you to read this and prove me wrong. Judging from the reviews of this book on other websites, I am one of the few that was disappointed in this book.

2 stars

*I received this book for free in exchange for my hones review.

Though My Heart is Torn - 5 stars!

When I first choose, Though my Heart is Torn, to review, I hadn't realized that I'd already read the first book in series. So when I first got started reading, I was little confused, but then the characters fell into place and I realized that I have read this series, or at least the first book in the series.

 

Gideon and Lonnie's story is captivating. I admit that I read this book in one day.  I just couldn't put it down, and yet I was so frustrated with the ending. I won't give it away, but I will tell you even with the ending reading the book is totally worth it.

 

Gideon and Lonnie have grown to love each other. Their love has grown from suffering and trials which makes it even more beautiful and deep. After all the suffering, they finally get to be together. That is ,until they realize Gideon has made some choices in his past that will affect his future. Will they be able to stay together, or will Gideon's past come back to break them apart?

 

Let me warn you if you read this book you're going to need some tissues. You might as well block off the whole day in your calendar while you're at it, because you're going to want to not put this book down.

5 stars!

*I received this book for free from Waterbrook Press, in exchange for my review

Shattered - 5 stars

Have you ever heard of someone doing something unthinkable...and you just KNEW they were innocent?

Piper McKenna hears of the murder of a traveling ski bunny, but the most startling news of all, the only suspect is her brother.
Convinced of his innocence, Piper goes on a personal crusade to find the guilty person. In the meantime, she puts herself in danger - of falling in love and getting killed.

I have never read a book by Dani Pettrey, but I love Dee Henderson. So when I saw that she gave a recommendation for this book, I knew it would be a good one. I was right! I am so glad that this is the second book in a series, because that means I can now go read the first one!

Shattered takes you on a wild ride that keeps you guessing. This is one of those books that my husband doesn't like because he leaves for work and comes home to find me on the couch, reading...and nothing else done!
I love Piper's unquestioning faith and devotion to her brother and Landon's self sacrificing love for Piper.

This is a sweet romance, a suspenseful ride and a quality plot.

5 stars

*I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Wishing on Willows - 4.5 stars

How is it possible for an author to grab your heart as quickly as Katie Ganshert does in Wishing on Willows?

Robin is a new widow. This life is nothing like what she pictured it would be when she said her vows on her wedding day. The only things she has going for her is her son, and the cafe that was her dream with her husband.

Now, some hotshot is threatening to take away the café. She survived the passing of her husband, but how could she survive the death of her dream? Ian Mckay is the developer who is trying to take her café, yet, his self sacrificing love shows another side of him. Will Robin be able to let down her guard and grieve the past in time to allow love to enter her life again?

Katie Ganshert does a beautiful job of wrapping around your heart and not letting go. You will cry, you will be angry for Robin. She makes her protagonist so believable, you want to march into town and take up her cause with her.

I love the rich pictures that Katie Ganshert develops in this book. Definitely a recommended read!

4.5 stars

* I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review

Unbreakable - 4.5 stars

I read and reviewed the first book in the Road to Kingdom series. I found this series delightful and a pleasant surprise.
 
Nancy Mehl weaves an intriguing tale with the use of suspense, great characters and a quality plot.
 
Hope Kauffman is engaged to Ebbie, but her heart is torn for another. While she is struggling to decide between the two men who love her, someone is terrorizing her town. Will faith win our or will the residents take matters into their own hands?
 
I love the way Nancy Mehl develops the characters and keeps you guessing about which man Hope will eventually pick. Usually, I can figure out where the plot is going, but this one kept me guessing! I also loved how Nancy asked a very good and difficult theological question throughout the book. Will God protect the town, or do they need to protect themselves?
 
Nancy does a fantastic job keeping the reader on the edge. You will find the need to keep reading even past your bedtime (you've been warned).
 
If possible, this was even better than the first in the series.
 
I give this book 4.5 stars!
 
*I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.