Anticipation Thursday: Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley

 Anticipation Thursday!

I appreciate it when other readers share what they're reading and I love hearing about new books that are about to be released. Today, for Anticipation Thursday!, I'm sharing about a new book that releases in a few days, on November 5th. I love this author and I've already read the first two book of this series so how can I not be excited about Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley???

ABOUT THE BOOK

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That's where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?

Why is my anticipation so great?

The setting is the fictional town of Pearl Springs, Tennessee and it looks like Max Anderson and Jenna Hart will have their hands full trying to prevent a disaster! The first two books of this series have featured nail-biting suspense, heartwarming romance, and inspiring faith messages, I am so excited to see what this book holds!

Do you think this is a book that you'd enjoy? Deadly Revenge is available to preorder from several book vendors and there's an especially sweet deal from Baker Books! Order now and you get 40% OFF + FREE shipping!

AMAZON     BAKER BOOKS     CHRISTIAN BOOKS DISTRIBUTOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today Best-Selling author Patricia Bradley is the author of fifteen Inspirational Romantic Suspense books and two sweet romances set in the South. She is a Romantic Suspense Selah and Reader’s Choice Award winner, and a finalist in the Carol Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award.

Learn more at her      Website.     Facebook     Twitter    BookBub  Instagram

Check out my reviews of the first two books in this series!

PEARL RIVER SERIES

Counter Attack

Fatal Witness

Wrangling the Wandering Rancher (High Country Ranch, #4) by Jody Hedlund

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the high country of Colorado, love endures all things, even the solitary way of life in the wilderness.

Maisy Merritt has vowed she’ll never marry a mountain man. Even though she loves the Colorado Rockies and the wild creatures she helps, she hates the way her pa’s mountain-man ways took him away from his family and caused her ma to die of loneliness. Maisy’s ready to start a normal life, and that includes marrying a normal man.

As a trapper and trail guide, Tanner Oakley lives a wandering life. He’s witnessed how hard being alone is for Maisy and her sister whenever their pa is gone, so he’s decided that he’s not husband material for any woman since he’s so restless and unsettled.

Having given up looking for the family he lost long ago, Tanner returns to the mountains and finds Maisy in trouble. As he tries to help her, he only makes matters worse. With Maisy injured and her reputation in shatters, he’s forced to do the right thing and marry her. They resist being together, but maybe marriage is what both of them really want—and need—after all.

Friends to more
Alone together in wilderness
Trapped in a cabin
Shotgun marriage
Abandonment issues
Lost 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 will never, ever marry a mountain man."

Maisy Merritt's head might be telling her this but what will her heart decide? She's known Tanner Oakley for years but there's a new element in their friendship that's about to change. In the fourth book of her High Country Ranch series, author Jody Hedlund gives readers a heartwarming story that's filled with drama, adventure, and sweet but sizzling romance.

Wrangling the Mountain Man has so many things that I enjoy in a story. Multi-faceted characters, a beautiful western setting, and the hardships and dangers that are inherent to the Colorado mountains in 1879. There is also the beloved friends-to-more trope that Hedlund does so well! Maisy wants a home and a man who will always be there, but Tanner can't be confined to one place. They both want different things until...one heart speaks and the other listens!

This is a beautiful story of love, acceptance, and compromise that's punctuated by swoon-filled kisses and undeniable chemistry. You will be captivated by Maisy and Tanner's Western romance.

I received a copy 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

View all my reviews

70 North (Alaskan Cyber Hunters, #3) by Kimberley Woodhouse

ABOUT THE BOOK

Buckle in for the bone-chilling finale!

The Cyber Solutions team has managed to stay one step ahead of the madman who has killed so many, stopping him before reaching his ultimate goals. From the original 26 Below cyberattack in Fairbanks to the 8 DOWN serial murders in Anchorage and beyond, they matched wits with the killer and won in the end.

But final judgment is coming. And this time, there may be no stopping him.

David "Mac" McPherson has a personal stake in making sure this predator stays down for good. His family died in the Fairbanks attacks. Mac knows that God says "vengeance is mine"--but surely an exception can be made.

Surgeon Tracie Hunter is determined to stay sober and keep saving lives in Fairbanks, Alaska--even if it means being a little obsessive. After all, that same kind of determination is how she kept Mac alive after the monster attacked him. And she won't let Mac run himself into the grave looking for payback; he's come to mean too much to her.

Then someone hacks into the system at Tracie's previous job as a medical examiner and frames her in a murder cover-up. There's no one else skilled enough to create a digital trail this incriminating--the killer is back in action, exploiting cybersecurity weaknesses that will destroy lives. Can Mac stay focused and stop the next attack when his own personal vulnerability is exposed? Or will his need to make someone pay for his pain allow the maniac to pull ahead and win at last?

Kimberley Woodhouse takes readers on another intense thrill ride in this epic close to her cybercrime series based on real-world possibilities.

MY THOUGHTS.....

I'm a long-time fan of this author's historical fiction novels but her recent venture into thrilling suspense has shown me just how versatile she truly is! Last year Kimberley Woodhouse introduced, in my opinion, one of the vilest characters ever. Now, readers get to see him in action once again, in this third book of her Alaskan Cyber Hunters series. I was on pins and needles as the cyber hunters raced to prevent more death and destruction and I was astonished with some of the plot twists. A scenario that would have once seemed implausible was now totally believable because of today's current events!

I've read all three of the books in this series and I WILL be reading them again, this time one right after the other, so that I can relive all of the drama, twists, and turns. In the future, when I think of evil and tormented minds, I will forever think of this brilliant but psychotic villain; when I picture good versus evil, I will remember the flawed but moral individuals who believed that faith and trust would help them stop this reign of terror!

This spine-tingling and nerve-wracking suspense novel is woven with an inspiring message of forgiveness and redemption! I highly recommend 70 North. to all who enjoy Christian suspense novels. Woodhouse offers a mesmerizing conclusion to an amazing series!

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


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than twenty-five books who loves the JOY of story. A lover of history and research, she often gets sucked into the past, and then her husband has to lure her out with chocolate. She's spoken to more than 2 million people at more than 2,500 venues and has taught the craft of writing around the country. Married to the love of her life for thirty-plus years, she makes her home in the Poconos. 

You can connect with Kimberley at her Website     Facebook     Instagram    Twitter

ALASKAN CYBER HUNTERS SERIES

26 Below

8 Down

70 North

View all my reviews

Search and Detect (Mountain Country K-9 Unit, #8) by Terri Reed

ABOUT THE BOOK

A bomber with a deadly agenda…and a K-9 team determined to catch him.

When single mother Zoe Jenkins and her baby are caught in an explosion that destroys her home, she’s saved by FBI special agent Chase Rawlston and his K-9, Dash. But who set the bomb? Fearing that the notorious Rocky Mountain Killer he’s been investigating has the mother and daughter in his sights, Chase takes them under his protection. But can he uncover the killer’s identity before more innocent lives are caught in the crossfire?

MY THOUGHTS.....

This new-to-me author checks all of the boxes in her exciting addition to the Mountain Country K-9 Unit series! Well-developed characters, sweet romance, and non-stop action are all included in the mystery of a chilling villain who just won't go away! FBI agent Chase Rawlston is drawn into a bombing incident involving Zoe Jenkins and her baby and the danger and suspense continue to escalate from there! I loved Chase's efforts to protect Zoe and baby Kylie from the Rocky Mountain Killer and the sweet relationship of trust that develops between them. How heartwarming that two hurting people might finally find peace and comfort!

I look forward to reading more of Terri Reed's books after reading this thrilling page-turner! I recommend Search and Detect to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense.

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

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Terri Reed's awarding winning romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 5 Romance Bestsellers and Publishers Weekly top 5 Religion Fiction Bestsellers, Publishers Weekly top 5 Mass Market Paperback Bestsellers, Nielsen's Bookscan top 25 Bestsellers and featured in USA Today and have been #1 Amazon Bestsellers, as well as Fresh Picks at FreshFiction.com. Her novel A Family Under the Christmas Tree was adapted into a Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and agility training with her dog.

Learn more by visiting Terri's      Website     Facebook     Instagram

View all my reviews

Anticipation Thursday: Cornered: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, & Natalie Walters

Anticipation Thursday!

I appreciate it when other readers share what they're reading and I love hearing about new books that are about to be released. Today, for my very first Anticipation Thursday!, I'm sharing about a new book that releases on November 19th. I'm a big fan of all three of the romantic suspense authors involved in this anthology so I'm eagerly anticipating Cornered: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, & Natalie Walters!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Prepare for three times the thrills with these nail-biting page-turners from your favorite romantic suspense authors!

In In the Dark by Lynette Eason, accountant Steph Cross is cleaning out a coworker's desk after her untimely death when she finds cryptic notes that lead her to believe her friend's car accident was no accident at all. Detective Tate Cooper is determined to help her crack the case before someone else gets hurt. But can he protect the woman who has so quickly laid claim to his heart?

Woo Hoo! In the Dark is tied to Eason's Lake City Heroes series!

In Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn, chef Cassie Quinn gets an offer she can't refuse: to fill in as chef at an exclusive mountain resort. But when the kitchen is destroyed and it becomes clear Cassie is in danger, she's forced to accept the help of her ex-boyfriend, Detective Donovan Bledsoe, to find the culprit and keep her safe.

Yay! I get to go back to Gossamer Falls!

In Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters, teacher Lahela Young becomes the target of someone with a twisted obsession of righting a wrong. The first person she turns to is her good friend Briggs Turner. Briggs may have left his career as a police officer, but he still has the instinct to protect--especially for Lahela.

Can't wait to see The  SNAP Agency back in action!!

Do you think this is a book that you'd enjoy? Cornered is available to preorder from several book vendors and there's an especially sweet deal from Baker Books! Order now and you get 40% OFF + FREE shipping!

AMAZON     BAKER BOOKS     BARNES & NOBLE

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

I mentioned that Lynette, Lynn, and Natalie are some of my favorite authors but I didn't know these....

Don't forget, Cornered: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, & Natalie Walters releases November 19, 2024!

The Cowboy's Forgotten Love (Lazy M Ranch, #4) by Tina Radcliffe

ABOUT THE BOOK

He finally found the love of his life

Now if only he could remember…

After an accident, rodeo rider Lucas Morgan is shocked to discover his memories of the last six months are gone. He remembers his best friend, Harper Reilly, but recent events are a blur—like the fact he’s opening a rodeo school with her…and who he bought an engagement ring for. With Luc under strict orders to rest and not stress, Harper can’t tell him about the kiss they shared or the feelings that blossomed—and with big career decisions to make, she fears they’ve missed their chance. Is it too late to fall in love all over again?

MY THOUGHTS.....

Oh, my! Lucas Morgan's memory loss has robbed him of the last six months of his life and apparently, there are a lot of important details that he can't recall. Certainly troubling to him but those lost memories are devastating to Harper Reilly, the girl who thought that their relationship had finally evolved from friendship to something more. Poor Harper, how many more hurts and disappointments can her heart endure?

Author Tina Radcliffe has a knack for creating great characters, beautiful settings, and realistic plot twists that often mirror what we've experienced ourselves. Life isn't always perfect, humor can help to cushion the bumps, and faith and trust are the keys to overcoming it all! The Cowboy's Forgotten Love has all of this, and I loved the many emotions triggered by this moving story. I agonized with Harper when she realized that Luc's amnesia signaled a step backward in their relationship and I worried that he might never remember all that had been lost!

I have mixed emotions about this last book in the Lazy M Ranch series. The friends-to-more story is captivating but I hate saying goodbye to this amazing family! If you're looking for a sweet contemporary romance filled with faith, family, and friends, grab a copy of The Cowboy's Forgotten Love. You'll find yourself falling in love with the Lazy M Ranch, the Morgan family, and one of the best cooks in Oklahoma! You'll also have the chance to grab some of the recipes that Bess Lowder has used in feeding this family during this four-book series!

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

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Publishers Weekly bestselling author Tina Radcliffe hails from Western New York. She left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa, she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. before heading to Colorado as a library cataloger.

​A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina is a Romance Writer of America and American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll member.

Tina is also a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist. She is a four-time ACFW Carol Award finalist and a three-time ACFW Mentor of the year finalist. ​Her Harlequin books have won the ACFW Carol Award and the Holt Medallion. She has placed or won over thirty RWA chapter-affiliated contests in her career. As a short story writer, she has sold over forty short romances to Woman’s World Magazine.

​Tina is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Women's Fiction Writers Association. A popular workshop speaker, she currently lives in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.

You can connect with Tina at her   Website     Facebook     Twitter   Pinterest      Instagram     BookBub 

Tina also has a great newsletter filled with fun facts and great giveaways for her newsletter subscribers. Sign up for her newsletter HERE.

  Lazy M Ranch

The Baby Inheritance

The Cowboy Bargain

The Cowboy's Secret Past

The Cowboy's Forgotten Love

View all my reviews

Guarding Truth (Elite Guardians: Savannah, #3) by Lynette Eason

ABOUT THE BOOK

The truth might destroy them both…

The one thing that Former Army Ranger turned elite bodyguard Juliette Montgomery regrets is never telling fellow solider Caleb Styles her true feelings. But how could she? They were co-workers, and then the guy went and saved her life. And that turned out to be the one thing that cost them their relationship.

So Juliette has moved on, trying to forget Caleb—and her feelings.

Caleb hasn’t forgotten her either. But he has no idea she now lives in Savannah, Georgia…especially since his life is full as guardian of his niece, Ivy, after her parents were killed.

And then he discovers that his brilliant niece’s computer skills have attracted a notorious hacker group. More, when Ivy tracks the hackers, she endangers Caleb's cyber-security company.

Enter his need for the Elite Guardians.

The last—very last—person Juliette thought she’d see again is Caleb Styles, let alone be assigned to protect him. And now, suddenly, the very last thing she needs is to let her heart take over. She must protect them both—which means ignoring…or trying to ignore—the attraction between them.

Caleb never understood why Juliette walked away from him…but he can’t deny that his feelings for her never died. Except maybe she doesn’t share those feelings because her only goal seems to be protecting Ivy. And, it’s probably for the best.

After all, they need all their wits about them to find the hackers and unravel their plans.

And then they discover the hackers’ true intent—and it becomes a race against time. But it too late to protect their hearts from the truth?

An electrifying blend of suspense, chemistry, and unbreakable bonds, this romantic thriller is a must-read for fans of the Elite Guardian series.

MY THOUGHTS.....

Just when I thought this series couldn't get any better...this book happens! Who thinks that a sometimes-nerdy hero can't be swoon-worthy, and who believes that an ex-military female can't be soft? Guarding Truth is an adrenaline-packed story with two compelling characters who were meant to be together years ago but couldn't seem to make it happen! I love Caleb and Juliana's chemistry together and the second chance they're being offered but...will they stay alive long enough to grab it? I also admire Caleb's determination to provide a stable environment for his orphaned niece Ivy. Raising a young girl is hard enough without dealing with one who is brilliant! Just one more reason to root for Caleb Styles!

Authors Kelly Underwood and Lynette Eason have created an intriguing scenario for this third book in the Elite Guardians: Savannah series. Technology and cybersecurity are front and center in their engaging story that's filled with suspense and non-ending action! There is one scene that is worthy of a Tom Cruise movie, and I felt like I was there myself, hanging on for dear life! Guarding Truth can be read even if you haven't read any of the previous books, but you'll probably want to go back to learn what you've missed! I recommend this captivating book to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense!

I received a copy from the publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review, and I am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Kelly Underwood’s favorite things are reading, writing, and drinking coffee. She was born in New Hampshire, but don’t ask her about snow, because she’s been a Florida girl since she was twelve. She writes book reviews for her blog bestinsuspense.com and is an active member of the Central Florida chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s a sucker for a good suspense novel, the kind you have to read cover-to-cover until the mystery is solved and the bad guys are in handcuffs. If you’re looking for her, she’s probably on her back patio with a Kindle in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

Learn more at her Website     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram

Award-winning, best-selling author, Lynette Eason writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line and for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have hit the Publisher's Weekly, CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won numerous awards such as the prestigious Carol Award, the Selah, the Daphne, the IRCC award and more. Lynette is married, has two children, and lives in Greenville.SC.

Learn more at her Website    Facebook    Twitter    Instagram

Elite Guardians: Savannah

  Book 1: Vanishing Legacy

Book 2: Hunting Justice

Book 3: Guarding Truth

 Elite Guardians Collection

Book 1: Driving Force

      Book 2: Impending Strike

      Book 3: Defending Honor

                      Book 4: Christmas in the Crosshairs

View all my reviews

The Ruby by(Sisters of the Porcelain Doll, 4) Cara Grandle

 ABOUT THE BOOK

Secrets threaten to destroy their future unless they trust each other.

Cora Mae Reynolds flees to Oregon Territory to escape an arranged marriage. She hopes to reunite with Rose, one of her Porcelain Doll Sisters, and create a safe, new life. Her plans are upended when she suffers a wagon accident. As Cora Mae recovers with no memory of her past, she wonders where she was headed, who placed the engagement ring on her finger, and who might be looking for her.

Reed McCormick struggles to save his ranch while caring for his sister and two nieces. He’s about to lose it all when a dark-haired beauty crashes into his life. His family takes her in, an arrangement that helps all involved. But he’s keeping a secret.

Working together to unravel her past and his family mystery, Cora Mae and Reed must find a way to discover and live the truth…before his loan is called due and her jilted fiancé hunts her down.

Purchase Links

READ | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY THOUGHTS.....

Fleeing from an arranged marriage, escaping by a wagon train to the Oregon Trail, and a bout with amnesia.... how much more can a young woman endure? Apparently. much more if you are Cora Mae Reynolds! Author Cara Grandle shares Cora's, aka Sunny's, adventure in an exciting tale that's steeped in history, sweetened by romance, and flavored with a classic villain! Archie was determined to avenge his sister's death and marrying Cora was the way to accomplish it. I was repulsed by his actions but able to see why he yearned for revenge!

This is my first time reading a book by this author and I was impressed with her character development. Cora May felt betrayed by her father and longed to be reunited with "the only people in the world who cared about her fate: Rose, Heather, and Rebecca". There were so many obstacles and so much to overcome! Would she ever remember why she was running away? Could she survive the journey and find the peace that she longed for?

The Ruby is the fourth book in the Sisters of the Porcelain Doll series, but it's written as a standalone. If you enjoy historical romance that keeps you turning the pages, grab a copy of this book!

I received a complimentary copy but there was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cara Grandle is an author of inspirational historical romance novels set in 1800s Oregon Territory. She loves to weave heartwarming tales where the underdog overcomes.

Author Links

Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter | Website

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River of Peril (Spies of the Civil War, #5) by Sandra Merville Hart

ABOUT THE BOOK

Amnesia stole his memory, and now he’s fighting for the wrong side.

Orphaned and alone at sixteen, Felicity has found solace in serving others as a volunteer nurse. When she discovers her Confederate soldier beau, Luke Shea, among the wounded in her ward, her worst nightmares come true. Luke's shrapnel wound has stolen his memory, leaving him with no recollection of their love or his past. As Felicity struggles with the loss of the man she once knew, she turns her attention to the service of her broken country. But the more she learns about the brutal war, the more she realizes she can no longer stay silent. She becomes a Union spy, plunging herself into danger.

When Luke Shea awakens in a hospital with no memory of the last five years, he’s shocked to hear he's been fighting against the Union he once so strongly supported. And when he learns of his past courtship with his nurse, Felicity, he struggles to understand the man he was, and what the amnesia seems to be hiding from him. Unable to pursue a relationship with Felicity until he uncovers his past, Luke throw himself back into the service of his country—this time as a Union Spy.

Will the danger lurking at every turn rob them of a second chance for love and the future they both crave?

MY THOUGHTS.....

This is the fifth book in the Spies of the Civil War series and author Sandra Merville Hart has never been better! River of Peril is loaded with drama, brimming with emotions, and charged with romance, but the historical accuracy is what I appreciated most! This book proves once again just how devastating the Civil War was. Hart's intensive research is evident in her vivid portrayal of the fear and misery that Vicksburg citizens experienced as the Union Army continued to invade Mississippi. The constant danger and extreme anxiety could have been crippling but Hart includes a message of faith, hope, love, and forgiveness!

If you enjoy history and suspense that's buffered with hope, faith, and inspiration, grab a copy of River of Peril. Hart makes history come alive in this captivating historical Christian romance!

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

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-Winning and Amazon Bestselling Author Sandra Merville Hart is thrilled that her next Civil War series “Spies of the Civil War” will release in 2022! Book 1 of the series, Avenue of Betrayal, is set in Washington DC in 1861. Boulevard of Confusion and Byway to Danger (Books 2 & 3) are set in Richmond, Virginia, in 1862. Actual historical spies will influence the lives of fictional characters in a series where everyone has secrets.

Sandra is on the Planning Committee for Faith & Fellowship Book Festival. She served in the past as Executive Editor for DevoKids.com where she also contributed many historical articles. She teaches writer workshops. She's a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and other writer groups.

Sandra Merville Hart loves to uncover little-known yet fascinating facts about our American history to include in her stories and drags her husband along on her adventures. Thankfully, he also enjoys these fact-finding missions.

Connect with Sandra on her blog, Historical Nibbles, where readers find posts relating to historical food/recipes, book reviews, and American history.

Follow Sandra on    Facebook      Twitter     

Please check out my reviews of the other books in this series!

SPIES OF THE CIVIL WAR

Avenue of Betrayal

Boulevard of Confusion

Byway to Danger

Streams of Courage

River of Peril

View all my reviews

An Amish Christmas Table: Four Amish Christmas Sweet Romance Stories by Mindy Steele, Tracy Fredrychowski, Rachel J. Good , and Jennifer Beckstand

ABOUT THE BOOK

Step into the cozy, snow-kissed world of Amish country with a collection of heartwarming Christmas stories by four of your favorite Amish storytellers. This holiday season, let the spirit of love, family, and faith fill your heart with these enchanting tales:

An Ideal Christmas by Mindy Steele

Ina Graber has decided on the perfect Christmas gift for her sister, Lavina, and she knows exactly who needs to build it. Now if she can only convince her childhood crush to help her when he doesn’t even know she exists.

Orders are piling up on local furniture maker and widower, Abner Fisher, but when a young woman from by a nearby community asks him to do the impossible, Abner discovers anything is possible this Christmas.

Gathered Around Love’s Table by Rachel J. Good

Miriam Lapp can’t bear to face a lonely Christmas table, which once held her large family, who’ve all gone to Pinecraft to care for her ill grandparents. Miriam has stayed behind to keep her rebellious seventeen-year-old brother, Abraham, out of trouble during Rumspringa. She decides to fill the seats at her holiday table with lonely and homeless people. Little does she know that this simple act of giving will lead her on a journey to warm her aching heart and provide healing for her brother.

One of her guests, Jerry Gingerich, has been struggling since he left the Amish. Reluctantly, he accepts her invitation, but the welcoming atmosphere and kindness he finds at the Lapp home begins to break through his walls. Miriam’s generosity becomes a beacon of hope to him as well as to the others she asks to share her table. But can Jerry open his heart completely, not just to the spirit of Christmas, but to the greatest gift of all – God’s love and forgiveness – so he can find healing, redemption, and love?

Trouble at the Christmas Table by Jennifer Beckstrand

Eleven-year-old twins Alfie and Benji Petersheim are in big trouble. They’re stuck in the cellar because intruder Zeke Hostetler is sleeping in their bedroom. Worse than that, Zeke is in love with their schoolteacher Sarah Zimmerman. But the worst part is Alfie and Benji accidentally put a long scratch in Mamm’s new kitchen table, and Mamm is going to be very angry when she sees it. Zeke Hostetler comes to the rescue and agrees to secretly fix the table if Alfie and Benji will help him woo Sarah Zimmerman. Unfortunately, if they help Zeke, they’ll lose their favoritest teacher in the world. But if Mamm sees that scratch, she’ll probably put them up for adoption or, worse, give them the spatula.

Alfie and Benji are going to need binoculars, walkie-talkies, three chickens, an unruly dog named Tintin, and a lot of luck to get themselves out of this mess.

Love Beneath the Pine by Tracy Fredrychowski

In the heart of Amish County, among the enchanting snow-covered landscape of Willow Springs, Hannah Schrock’s kitchen buzzes with activity and delightful aromas as Christmas approaches. Overwhelmed by her baking orders and devotion to her ailing grandmother, Hannah finds an unexpected ally in Isaac Kauffman, a gentle soul whose silent love for her has endured for years.

Isaac discovers an antique table in the barn. Even amidst Hannah’s refusal to help him, Isaac embarks on a journey to restore it, uncovering hidden secrets and heartwarming tales of its past owners along the way.

MY THOUGHTS.....

Just seeing this cover and the names of four respected authors made me want to read this book and I'm thrilled to have the chance! An Amish Christmas Table is a collection of four short stories but this review is for An Ideal Christmas, a novella by Mindy Steele. I loved this return to Miller's Creek, and a chance to catch up with one of my favorite characters, Hazel Miller! Who wouldn't love this Amish matchmaker, who admits to sometimes being an "Amish meddler"? I loved this reunion with Hazel and also meeting Abner Fisher and the young woman who's loved him since she was a girl. Ina Graber has little hope of catching Abner's eye but it won't hurt to try, will it?

Steele shares a heartwarming story with a perfect blend of romance, humor, and inspiring Christmas magic! An Ideal Christmas is a great holiday read and I look forward to reading the other novellas in An Amish Christmas Table!

I received a complimentary ARC but there was no obligation for a review. These are my honest thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Raised in Kentucky timber country, Mindy Steele writes Amish Romance peppered in humor, using her rural surroundings as her muse. She is a best-selling author and the winner of the 2022 FHLCW Reader's Choice award for sweet romance. Steele creates realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy-ever-after ending. Readers can find themselves, somewhere within the pages of her Amish fiction or romantic suspense novels.

Learn more by visiting Mindy's Website. 

You can also follow her on Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

Tracy Fredrychowski is a country girl, author, homesteader and everything simple living. She has a passion for writing about the simpler side of life, much like the life she lived growing up in rural Pennsylvania.

Her life has always been intertwined with the Amish, and it’s only fitting that she has a genuine passion for their simplicity, sense of community and God-centered lives.

Growing up in Northwest Pennsylvania she spent her childhood immersed deep in Amish Country.  The clip-clop of horse and buggy woke her each morning as Amish men drove past her childhood home on their way to work. As a young woman, she was traumatized by an Amish murder that involved a family member and changed her life forever.

Even though she currently lives in South Carolina her travels take her through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin’s Amish Country every year. During those stops, she researches the communities she visits and prides herself on writing Amish fiction that truly represents the Amish culture. She considers herself very fortunate to have made friends in those communities and values the information they share and wants nothing more than to represent their lifestyle as accurately as possible.

Follow her on Facebook     Twitter    Pinterest    Instagram or visit her Website

USA Today bestselling author Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.

Rachel loves to travel and visit many different Amish communities. In searching for the best Amish soft pretzels, she’s visited many Amish markets, auctions, and mud sales. Because of her love of Amish food, she tries to include recipes in her books &/or newsletters as often as possible. When she’s not traveling, she spends time with family and writing.

Along with her Amish novels, she’s written more than 65+ books for both children and adults under several pen names. To find out more about Rachel and her books, you can sign up for her newsletter and connect with her on Facebook.

Rachel enjoys meeting readers and speaks regularly at book events, schools, libraries, churches, book clubs, and conferences across the country. She also loves talking 

Learn more at Rachel's Website     Facebook

Jennifer Beckstrand is the USA Today Bestselling author of clean romantic comedies, sweet historical Westerns, and Amish romances. Her popular books include Dandelion Meadows, The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, The Honeybee Sisters series, The Amish Quiltmaker series, and Cowboys of the Butterfly Ranch series. Jennifer is a two-time RWA RITA® Award finalist, a Carol Award® finalist, and a #1 Amazon bestselling Amish author.

Learn more at Jennifer's Website     Facebook

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