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!

Thursday, August 28, 2025

The Pretender: The Big Valley Disappearance (Mifflin County Mystery #3) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

The Pretender: The Big Valley Disappearance #3 Volume 3 (A Mifflin County Mystery)
ABOUT THE BOOK

A Woman Missing for Two Years Suddenly Returns Home

In book three of A Mifflin County Mystery series, Rosa Petersheim’s sudden reappearance creates more hurt and confusion in the Big Valley.
Two years since Rosa Petersheim mysteriously disappeared from her Amish home, there has been no word from her. Her family and friends have suffered in the silence, though they have tried to move on with life.
 
Then one day Rosa just as suddenly reappears at her parent’s home. . .with a husband in tow.
 
Rosa is ashamed of the choices she made that caused her to leave home. And now that she is back, her father is not welcoming and her siblings and friends want explanations that she can’t give.
 
Will Rosa’s family accept her and Anthony? Can the Big Valley ever be home again?


AMAZON     BARBOUR BOOKS     


MY THOUGHTS.....

Finally! Finally, we learn what happened to the young Amish girl who disappeared from her home in the Big Valley two years ago. Rosa Petersheim returns to Belleville, Pennsylvania, but her homecoming isn't as happy as you would expect. Rosa has a secret, so she reluctantly introduces Anthony Reeves as her pretend husband, but this soon illustrates what we all know: one lie can lead to many!

It's easy to assume that Amish people are exempt from lies, deceit, and sibling jealousy but Wanda E. Brunstetter's thought-provoking story reminds us that these feelings are common in all cultures. How do we repair the damage? Faith, forgiveness, and understanding are the keys!

I recommend The Pretender to all who enjoy well-developed characters, cozy mysteries, and faith-filled stories.

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

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  Pinterest


A Mifflin County Mystery


Sunday, August 24, 2025

Protecting the Texas Witness (Lone Star Defenders Book 3) by Virginia Vaughan

Protecting the Texas Witness (Lone Star Defenders Book 3)
ABOUT THE BOOK

He has a witness to defend…

and their future hangs in the balance.

Deputy Drake Shaw rescues single mom Isabelle Morris from an assailant's attack, only to be mistaken for her late husband. After exposing the corruption at her health-care company, Isabelle fears danger has followed her and her daughter all the way to their remote cabin. Now Drake must keep them safe long enough for Isabelle to testify against her former boss. But when her child is taken, the stakes are raised. Can they survive to unravel the truth about the present…and the past?



MY THOUGHTS.....


Whistleblower Isabelle Morris needs protection until she can testify against her corrupt boss, but something is troubling about one of her protectors! She's never met Deputy Drake Shaw, but he seems so much like her deceased husband. Could he be Rayland's relative that she'd never met?

Protecting the Texas Witness is the intriguing story of a man who doesn't remember his past and a woman who begins to question the past she remembers! As I read this story, I kept hearing the song that mentions 'the heart won't lie'. Was Isabelle's heart telling her the truth even when circumstances pointed to a different scenario?

I enjoyed this book so much! Was it the support and protection from the other Lone Star Defenders? The strong mother-daughter bond between Isabelle and her teenage daughter, Kelsey, or maybe the realistic emotions. Author Virginia Vaughan shares a fast-paced mystery with intense danger, a surprising villain, and a strong message of faith. I highly recommend Protecting the Texas Witness to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense!

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

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Virginia Vaughan is a former investigator for the State of Mississippi who left a promising career to pursue her dream of being a writer. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include hearing stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself, delving into the genre of romantic suspense, armed with her passion for writing and the knowledge gained from her criminal justice background.

Learn more about Virginia at her Website   Facebook  Twitter  Instagram     Pinterest




Lone Star Defenders

Missing in Texas
Protecting the Texas Witness