About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Saturday, June 29, 2024

The Triplets' Summer Adventure: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance by Laurel Blount

The Triplets' Summer Adventure: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Love Inspired)
ABOUT THE BOOK

His visit is temporary…

but will they give him a reason to stay?

Back home for the summer, adventure-seeking Nick Marshall thinks his park ranger gig will be easy—until the children’s camp he’s overseeing is left without a cook. Desperate to fill the position, he offers his high school nemesis, Cara Andrews, the job. As the two work together, Nick can’t help but fall for the single mom and her triplet sons. But convincing her to take a chance on him might be Nick’s toughest challenge yet…







MY THOUGHTS.....

Cedar Ridge, Georgia. Nick Marshall is back home to serve as a temporary park ranger at a summer camp for children. He'll help his foster brother Logan, spend some time with his foster mother Ruby Sawyer, and then, he'll be on his way. What he doesn't count on is a jolt to his heart, in the form of a young, divorced mother with three adorable little boys.

I've loved this town and its citizens so saying goodbye is bittersweet. Now, in this last book of the Cedar Ridge series, author Laurel Blount gives Ruby one last chance to weave her matchmaking magic. Ruby Sawyer has been one of my favorite characters ever. She's wise, warm, and loving, and she's what every foster parent should be! I've loved getting to know Ruby and the children that she's fostered over the years, and I've enjoyed watching them find love and happiness, with a little help from this extraordinary matchmaker!

The Triplets' Summer Adventure is a heartwarming story that exemplifies the importance of love, faith, and family and It's a wonderful way to wrap up this series. I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian romance!

I received a complimentary copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars





ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laurel Blount lives on a small farm in middle Georgia with her husband, their four children, and an assortment of very spoiled animals. She divides her time between farm chores, homeschooling, and writing. She's busy, but she's never bored!

Laurel writes inspirational contemporary romance, and The Triplets' Summer Adventure is her ninth title for Harlequin’s Love Inspired. She’s the recipient of the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence and has been a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Award, the Holt Medallion, and the New England Reader’s Choice Award. She’s represented by Jessica Alvarez of Bookends Literary Agency.

Whenever she's not working, you can find Laurel with a cup of tea at her elbow, a cat in her lap, and a good book in her hand.

CONNECT WITH LAUREL:    Website     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram

Cedar Ridge Books!

The Triplets' Summer Adventure

View all my reviews


Friday, June 28, 2024

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Outdoor Cookbook: Over 250 Recipes Proving Outdoor Cooking Is Much More Than a Hot Dog on a Stick by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Outdoor Cookbook: Over 250 Recipes Proving Outdoor Cooking Is Much More Than a Hot Dog on a Stick
ABOUT THE BOOK

Amish Friends Share Their Love for Nature and Cooking Outdoors

Do you love nature and time spent in the backyard playing or relaxing around a campfire? When you also want to eat while outside, you don't need to make do with just a hot dog on a stick. Your Amish friends are here to share their tips for cooking outdoors while still at home or away at a campsite.

Brand new, from New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter, is a must-have cookbook for nature lovers and adventurous cooks. Amish cooks have shared over 200 recipes divided into sections by breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks. Also included is advice for prep work, packing a cooler, grilling in foil packs, maintaining cast iron tools, and much more. Encased in a lay-flat binding and presented in full color, home cooks of all ages will be delighted to add this cookbook to their collections. 

There is something very special about making memories around a fire with family and friends, and now you can add good, comforting food to your time of fellowship.




MY THOUGHTS.....

This is another terrific addition to the Amish Friends Cookbook series! The Amish Friends Outdoor Cookbook is filled with tips, suggestions, and over 250 delicious recipes that range from cooking on a stick, cooking in foil packets, cooking in kettles or Dutch ovens, and of course, cooking on a grill. I am amazed at the variety of foods that can be cooked on a stick and I long for some of the wonderful food available from cooking on the grill.

Amish Friends Outdoor Cookbook is certainly a book for serious grill-masters but it's also perfect for novices like me. I'm hoping that it will help me become more than just a novice griller but this cookbook won't be put on the shelf for summer use only. There are many recipes that I plan to adapt to my stove and oven to be enjoyed all year long, and there are also wonderful tips and suggestions for fun family enjoyment. With beautiful pictures, nuggets of inspiration, and a spiral-bound cover that makes it easy to use, this is certainly a cookbook for all seasons! I love this Amish Friends Outdoor Cookbook!

I received this cookbook from the author and Barbour Publishing as part of a cooking challenge. There was no obligation for a positive review

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Want to learn more about this cookbook?  I invite you to check out this blog post!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and receive numerous awards.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and family ties. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.


To learn more about Wanda, visit her  Website  Facebook  Twitter  Instagram   Pinterest




View all my reviews

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Willing to Wed the Rancher (High Country Ranch, #2) by Jody Hedlund

Willing to Wed the Rancher (High Country Ranch, #2)
ABOUT THE BOOK

In the high country of Colorado, falling in love at first sight is not only possible, it’s likely to happen.

Assistant schoolteacher Clarabelle Oakley has a hard time saying no. When Eric Meyer, widowed father of two of her young students, proposes to her, she botches her effort to tell him no and that she wants to marry for love, not convenience. Only days later, the unthinkable happens, and Clarabelle learns she’s been given charge of Eric’s children and his farm.

Professor Franz Meyer arrives in Summit County, Colorado, to make peace with his estranged brother but discovers Eric is gone, leaving too many unanswered questions. One thing he knows for certain, however, is that he’s fallen in love at first sight with Clarabelle and is determined to win her heart.

As Franz investigates what happened to his brother, danger closes in. He wants to keep Clarabelle and the children safe, but she resists the relationship because her twin sister has staked a claim on Franz. Will Clarabelle choose to say yes to love before Franz is taken from her forever?

Twin sisters--Love triangle--Love at first sight--Mystery--Wealthy foreigner--Fish out of water--Estranged family.

*All of the books in the High Country Ranch series are sweet, closed-door romances with plenty of sizzle. The inspirational themes are light, and the romance is the main focus of the books.








MY THOUGHTS.....

I always enjoy her Western stories, so I was especially eager to read this new book from author Jody Hedlund. Believe me, it didn't disappoint! It has beautiful twin sisters, two young children who've just lost their father, and an uncle who's come to rescue them. Franz Meyer has every intention of taking his orphaned niece and nephew back to Germany, but he didn't count on being immediately entranced by Clarabelle Oakley. What follows is a sweet, sizzling, take-your-breath-away romance that's riddled with misunderstandings, a love triangle, and a troubling mystery.

I loved watching Clarabelle and Franz become friends as they worked to help the children but the chemistry between them was apparent from the beginning! A beautiful Colorado setting and a return visit to the High C Ranch add to this captivating story, and there's even a teaser for the next book in the High Country Ranch series. Grab a copy of Willing to Wed the Rancher if you're looking for Western action filled with clean, swoon-worthy romance!

I received a copy of this book from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 






ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. She lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy teens, and five spoiled cats.

When's she not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
 

Learn more at Jody's Website     

Goodreads    Facebook

Twitter     Pinterest     Instagram     BookBub


HIGH COUNTRY RANCH SERIES

Waiting for the Rancher 

Willing to Wed the Rancher

A Wife for the Rancher

Wrangling the Wandering Rancher

Wishing for the Rancher's Love


Monday, June 24, 2024

Wilderness Witness Survival by Connie Queen

Wilderness Witness Survival (Love Inspired Suspense)
ABOUT THE BOOK

Pursued in the wilderness…

Can they survive criminals and nature?

A camping trip turns into a search and rescue mission when investigator Josie Hunt’s adopted daughter goes missing. And as the only witness to her father’s murder, eight-year-old Everly is the killer’s next target. Now Josie has no choice but to accept help from her ex-boyfriend, wrongly accused fugitive Dane Haggerty, to stay alive. With threats closing in, can they outrun a killer who’ll stop at nothing to keep his crimes hidden?




MY THOUGHTS.....

"How could Josie Hunt's dreams of being a mom go so wrong in only four months of parenthood?"

We've met Josie Hunt before but in this book, she finally gets her own story. What a story it turns out to be! She's now the adopted mom of 8-year-old Everly but a peaceful life doesn't appear to be in the cards. Someone is trying to harm her little girl and there are questions as to who or why. Josie needs help but is she willing to accept it from an ex-boyfriend who is now a fugitive from the law?

Wilderness Witness Survival is a total adrenaline rush, from the cover to the exciting introduction, and finally, to the unexpected conclusion. Danger is everywhere, Dane Haggerty is a wanted man, and Josie is a bundle of conflicting emotions! This page-turner is filled with chills, thrills, twists, and turns, but the epilogue makes it all worthwhile!

Author Connie Queen shares love, faith, and hope in this compelling second-chance story, I recommend Wilderness Witness Survival to fans of romantic Christian suspense!

I received a copy of this book from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Connie Queen spent her life in Texas where she met and married her high-school sweetheart. Together they’ve raised eight children and are enjoying their grandchildren. As a child, Connie remembers her mom and sisters reading, but she preferred to be outside. It wasn't until later, she found the joy of being whisked away into another world. Today she resides in Nebraska with her husband, and Nash, her Great Dane, where she’s working on her next suspense.

Visit her Website or follow her on   Facebook     Twitter   Instagram





OTHER BOOKS BY CONNIE QUEEN



View all my reviews

Sunday, June 23, 2024

Coal Black Lies by Cindy K. Sproles

Coal Black Lies
ABOUT THE BOOK

Believing the bitter lies you tell yourself leaves little room for the sweetness of truth

Coal miner Joshua Morgan managed to do the impossible--he broke away from the stranglehold of the iron-fisted Barton family and the Company Store, to whom all the miners in the Appalachian Mountains are indebted. But it cost him the life of his young daughter, who was run down by a posse led by Thomas Barton while coming to collect Joshua's payment to the store.

Five years later, a sweet but slow-witted young girl lands on his doorstep, and Joshua’s desire to protect her from the clutches of the Bartons increases his thirst for vengeance. Joshua sets out to discover where the girl came from in order to take down the Barton family once and for all.

His journey leads him to the truth about the day his daughter died, a reality he finds hard to accept. But when confronted by Thomas Barton himself, Joshua is forced to rethink the dark lies brewing in his heart. If he broke away, could Thomas have also? Despite his misgivings, can Joshua join forces with a man he once despised to free the miners from the tyrannical Barton family and forge a future of peace for both the young girl and himself?







MY THOUGHTS.....

This is a must-read book, but it needs to be read when tissues are nearby. Coal Black Lies grabbed my heart from the very first page and it wouldn't let go! Did a coin that seemingly dropped from Heaven prevent a man from taking his own life? Could an unidentified little girl help heal grieving hearts, and would her appearance be the catalyst for change in Barton Mountain, Kentucky?

Author Cindy K. Sproles takes us back to Appalachia for a mesmerizing tale that takes place in 1899. Memorable characters and the spot-on dialect transported me to this coal-mining town where work was backbreaking, the hard-earned wages were only good at the Barton Company Store, and the Barton family controlled everything. Absolutely everything! Is it any wonder that coal miner Joshua Morgan was ready for a change but how could he find the courage and strength to make it happen?

Coal Black Lies has something for everyone! A touch of mystery, a look at Appalachian culture, and a powerful reminder that God is always there! If He could change the hardened heart of a Barton and He could use a very special child to do it, then He could surely give peace and healing to the hurting people of Barton Mountain!

This captivating story shares friendship and forgiveness as Sproles masterfully weaves her message of faith throughout the thought-provoking plot. Coal Black Lies is outstanding, and I believe that this author has another award-winning novel in her future!

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Kregel Publications. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cindy K. Sproles is an author and a speaker, whose dream is to do nothing more than craft words that speak from the heart. God's plan seems to be for her to write and teach the craft.  With God’s guidance, Cindy is expanding her horizons. We'll see how He uses her.
Cindy is a mountain gal. Proud of her heritage, she was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains where life is simple, words have a deep southern drawl, and colloquialisms like, "well slap my knee and call me corn pone" seem to take precedence over proper speech. Apple Butter, coal mining, the river, pink sunrises, and golden sunsets help you settle into a porch swing and relax. Family, the love of God, and strong morals are embedded into her life in the mountains. Teaching writers, spinning fiction tales about life in the mountains, history, and down-home ideas find their way into all she does. “I love to write devotions, to seek after the deeper side of Christ, and to share the lessons He teaches me from life in the hills of East Tennessee. I am a writer. A speaker. A lover of God's Word and friend to all.” 
Learn more at her Website     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram



Friday, June 21, 2024

The Way Back (Lights of Acadia, #1) by Heidi Chiavaroli

The Way Back (Lights of Acadia)
ABOUT THE BOOK

Young love means everything... until it leaves you with nothing.

The summer before her senior year of high school, Laney Jacobs and her best friend jump from a six-story beachside cliff in an attempt to impress their boyfriends. Laney rose from the water. Her friend did not.

Six years later, when Laney’s troubled mother’s memoir hits the bestseller list airing the family’s destructive secrets, Laney is forced to relive the trauma, this time in the public eye. To escape the scrutiny, she seeks shelter at her estranged grandmother’s seaside inn. But she can’t reconcile the loving woman with the heartless parent in her mother’s book. As she looks for answers, the ex-boyfriend who’d witnessed her darkest days reappears, stirring up both pain and hope.

When her mother's vindictive fans threaten her grandmother's livelihood and the lighthouse Laney has come to love, she turns to the century-old words of a young lighthouse keeper to help her find the courage to move forward. But once truths from the past come to light and old love finds new beginnings, will Laney discover that forgiveness is the only way toward true healing?


MY THOUGHTS.....

Emotional, entertaining, and enlightening. These are just a few of the words that come to mind after reading this book. Author Heidi Chiavoroli tells the stories of two young women, more than a century apart, who find love, hope, and eventually peace at a Maine lighthouse. It is a dual timeline novel with two intriguing young women: the present-day Laney Jacobs and the historic true-life heroine, Abbey Burgess. Romance is present but this isn't a light read! Chiavaroli introduces some heavy topics, including drug addiction, accidental death, extreme guilt, and self-harm but she treats them with good taste and sensitivity. The Way Back is thought-provoking but never sensationalized; heart-wrenching but never without faith and hope.

I enjoyed the contemporary story, but I loved the historical details surrounding teenager Abbey Burgess and her valiant efforts to keep a lighthouse operational in the mid-1880s. I was also inspired by the powerful faith message that plays such an important role in both women's lives. The Way Back is a book that I couldn't put down and it's a fantastic introduction to a new series! I look forward to reading more books in the Lights of Acadia series.

I received an ARC from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heidi Chiavaroli is a hope-inspired storyteller writing from the deep curiosity of her own heart. Her debut novel, Freedom's Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Her Carol award-winning novel, The Orchard House, inspired her to create The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast Series, a contemporary twist on Little Women. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons. 

Visit her online at heidichiavaroli.com.

Follow her on    Facebook     Twitter     Pinterest    Instagram

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes

Born of Gilded Mountains
ABOUT THE BOOK

When newcomer Mercy Windsor arrives in Mercy Peak in 1948 after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood's beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood--an abandoned estate with a haunting history--and begins to restore it to its former glory.

But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of that mountain's lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal, Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Engine No. 8, which vanished years ago, along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention another fabled treasure that--if found--could right so many wrongs.

Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed.








MY THOUGHTS.....

This book has many of the things that I love in a story, including a mystery, an inspiring message, and a unique setting. It could also be labeled an "all-star extravaganza' because of its cast of amazing characters! Ruby/Rusty and Mary Beth/Mercy are the two who immediately stole my heart, but they are supported by so many others, including one that's actually a missing train car.

Born of Gilded Mountains is a story of a friendship that endured through years of pain, grief, and loss, and author Amanda Dyke's poignant descriptions helped me feel them all. I could imagine a flight from Hollywood, and I was allowed to laugh and dream in a special place called Mercy Peak. Her words are lyrical, the emotions are sometimes raw, and even when hope seemed diminished, she never allowed it to be destroyed. I loved the friendship that began when two 10-year-old girls became pen pals, the efforts to restore an abandoned estate, and the eventual meeting between Mercy and Rusty. Add a missing mailbag of letters that could change everything, mix in a treasure trove of clues and details, and the results are pure magic!

Grab a copy of this book if you're looking for a mesmerizing tale that will keep you glued to the pages. Born of Gilded Mountains is truly storytelling at its very best!

I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 






ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda Dykes is a spinner of hope-filled tales who spends most days chasing wonder and words with her family. She’s the winner of the 2020 Christy Award Book of the Year, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten title, and the winner of an INSPY award for her debut novel, Whose Waves These Are. She’s also the author of Set the Stars Alight (a Christy Award finalist), Yours is the Night (recipient of the Kipp Award, Christy Award finalist), All the Lost Places (Christy Award finalist, starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Foreword), and three novellas. 

Find her online by visiting her Website  

Follow her on   Facebook     Twitter     Instagram









Sunday, June 16, 2024

Toward the Dawn (A Western Light, #2) by Mary Connealy

Toward the Dawn (A Western Light, #2)
ABOUT THE BOOK

Despite trials that threaten their path forward, hope dawns for a future filled with love.

Kat Wadsworth and Sebastian Jones never imagined their lives would entwine so closely. Forced to flee on a wagon train from a vengeful uncle and an unknown gunman, they live in a hidden canyon with the family that rescued them. But as the days turn into months, they each have separate reasons for wanting to move back to society, and the best way to the independence they desperately crave might be through a marriage of convenience.

However, settling into their homestead in Cheyenne, Wyoming, reveals a different reality for Kat. Her new husband becomes consumed by his inventions, leaving her feeling lonely and isolated. And just when they think they've left the danger behind, a mysterious attacker lurks in the shadows, threatening the new life they've built. Together, they must confront the perils from their pasts to forge a future with hope and the prospect of love.




MY THOUGHTS.....




What's better than a blossoming relationship that's flavored with some witty banter and a good dose of chemistry? How about a shoot-em-up adventure, a marriage of convenience, and memorable characters, both good and bad? If you're a fan of Western historical romance.... this book's for you! Toward the Dawn is set in Wyoming, during 1870 and it continues a story that began in the first book of the "A Western Light" series. Eugenia Rutledge and her daughter Beth are still hiding from the very evil Thaddeus Rutledge, but this book has another damsel in distress. Kat Woodridge's husband has died, and his uncle is trying to put her away, so she's running from him and an unknown person who's after her also. She needs protection but is a marriage of convenience the answer to Kat's problems?

Author Mary Connealy is known for Western stories that are often fun and romantic, but this book shares a poignant reminder of women's struggles over the years. It has women who were forced to live in insane asylums simply because they weren't wanted by the men in their lives. Can you imagine being perfectly sane and unable to prove it? The action never stops, and the danger is always present, but Toward the Dawn is also a heartwarming story of friendship, commitment, and hope. I loved the sweet romance that developed between Kat and Sebastian Jones and the faith journeys that made their story even more relevant. I'm looking forward to the next book that will be available in the Fall!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars






ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys that also have a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy, and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. 

Her most recent book series is Wyoming Sunrise.  Other series by Mary Connealy are: The Lumber Baron's' Daughters, Brothers in Arms, The Brides of Hope Mountain, Garrison’s Law, High Sierra Sweethearts, Cimarron Legacy, Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, and Kincaid Bride for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing. along with many novellas. 

Mary is the bestselling author of 70 books and novellas and she has nearly a million books in print! 

Learn more at her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


A WESTERN LIGHT

Toward the Dawn


Thursday, June 13, 2024

Gimme Some Sugar, 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way by Linda P. Kozar

Gimme  Some Sugar, 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way
ABOUT THE BOOK

A Perfect Start to a Joyful Heart

As we wake to face our struggles of the day, there are two things to help us get through them: hope and humor.


Good things from God's Word can calm your soul and fill you with hope. In Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way  (BroadStreet Publishing, April 2, 2024)  by Linda Kozar, she offers her wit and wisdom to sweeten your life with spiritual nourishment, a perspective to pray about, and a touch of joy to bring you a smile.

Gimme Some Sugar offers sensible inspiration that will elevate your day, and encourage you to set your heart and mind on God's Word while having fun along the way.

Each devotion includes:
  • An engaging saying
  • Inspiring insight from scripture
  • Practical advice for daily life
  • A sprinkle of homespun humor

Daily you're greeted with a bite-size piece of humor or wisdom with a smile such as “Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise.”




AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE








MY THOUGHTS.....


The catchy title and charming cover of this new book grabbed my attention immediately but the contents are the true treasure! Author Linda Kozar shares ninety inspiring devotions that follow the pleasing format of memorable quotes or sayings, Bible scripture, her commentary, and a 'Sweet Spoonful' conclusion. The quotes and sayings are the perfect way to start each devotion and they're from various sources, including Billy Graham, David Jeremiah, Will Rogers, and even Calvin and Hobbes. Some are humorous and others are thought-provoking, but they all make me feel like I am hearing them from a personal friend!

Gimme Some Sugar is small enough to carry in a purse but its size is deceiving. It is overflowing with encouragement, Godly wisdom, and some good old Southern humor! These short devotions are the perfect way to begin a new day!

I received a copy of this book from the author via BlogAbout Blogger Network. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars






ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Linda Kozar is an award-winning author of multiple fiction and nonfiction inspirational books, among them Sweet Tea for the Soul (ECPA Bronze Sales Award 2022) and Sunshine for the Soul (Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Selah Award in the devotionals category and Nonfiction Book of the Year 2021). Linda was named American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year and has been involved in her local chapter since its inception. She and her husband, Michael, live in The Woodlands, Texas, and enjoy spending time with their two grown daughters; wonderful son-in-law; grandchildren, Eden and Wesley; and Gypsy, their rascally Jack Russell terrier. 


Learn more about Linda at lindakozar.com.

Follow her on    Facebook     Instagram





GIVEAWAY!

Would you like a chance to win a FREE copy of Gimme Some Sugar: 90 Devotions to Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way? All you have to do is answer this question in the comments below.

Do you enjoy devotionals?  

Along with your answer, you MUST include your first name and your email address so that I can contact you for your mailing address! For your safety, please leave it in a non-spam format. Example: Your Name(AT)Domain(DOT)com


NOTE: This giveaway is limited to US winners only and you must be 18+ to win. It closes on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 11:59 PM








Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Unforgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray

Unforgiven
ABOUT THE BOOK

Ex-con Seth Zimmerman has spent the last three years making amends by helping the vulnerable in his former Amish community. Lately, this mission includes calling on Tabitha Yoder, whose divorce from her abusive husband has isolated her from the community. Even though she never comes out of her house to talk to him, Seth knows she watches him from the window while he chops wood, clears her driveway, and drops off food.  

An uneasy friendship is just starting to take hold between them when small gifts begin to appear at Tabitha's home--gifts that can only be from her ex-husband. Seth might be Tabitha's only hope at maintaining her hard-won freedom from the man whose violent outbursts had almost cost her life. But coming to her rescue might mean he ends up behind bars once again.   

Get swept up in this emotional story of two outcasts who may be each other's only hope for happiness and redemption from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray.



MY THOUGHTS.....




An ex-Amish man convicted of murder and an Amish woman forced to leave her faith because she divorced her abusive husband. Neither have been shunned by their community but they're certainly not accepted. Amish faith is based on forgiveness, but will Tabitha Yoder and Seth Zimmerman always feel unforgiven?

Tabitha and Seth find friendship as they adapt to the judgment and isolation imposed on them by the Amish community that should be supporting them. I loved watching Tabitha blossom under Seth's efforts to help her, and I was equally touched by Seth's longtime crush on his former teacher and his determination to protect her when her ex-husband reappears. Author Shelley Shepard Gray proves that she is capable of writing in almost every genre as she shares their compelling story that's set in Crittenden County, Kentucky. I was moved by the special connection between Tabitha and Seth, fascinated by the added dynamics provided by the other characters, and completely invested in the continuing drama!

Unforgiven is a story of damaged trust, unreasonable judgments, and the inability to forgive. It is a captivating blend of romance, suspense, and faith, and it offers many profound truths while asking one powerful question. Why is it easier to forgive others than it is to forgive ourselves?

This is one of my favorite books by this author and I can't wait to read more of this new series!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Revell Reads. There was no obligation for a positive review.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars






ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Shelley Shepard Gray has written over one hundred novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full-time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults and she is an active member of her church.

Learn more about Shelley at her    Website 
Follow her on Facebook     Twitter     Pinterest     Instagram