Her Reluctant Amish Heart ~ Review

Her Reluctant Amish Heart

Humble Blessings #3

By Pamela Desmond Wright

Elam Muller pulled away from his Amish roots following the death of his parents. He sought a feeling of belonging, and he thinks he's found that in the Englisch world and his love of fixing automobiles. But when he makes a decision that could have cost a young man his life, Elam's life is upended, and he finds himself doing community service on the very farm of the young man who was hurt. 

Anika Glick's life is a mess. After a tragic accident changed everything, the last thing she needed was for her younger brother to be injured when a former Amish young man makes a selfish decision. When Elam Mueller shows up at her door to work off his community service hours, well, she is not pleased. 

But as Elam helps out, Anika comes to realize just how much her life has changed in the last couple of years, of how much she has lost. And Elam discovers how much he gave up when he left the faith and beliefs that guided him before he lost his way. But can he give up the outside world, the excitement, the cars, the racing for a simple life?

This was a good read that showed how loss affects people differently. Both Anika and Elam respond differently, but at the root of both their reactions is pain and grief. As they work together, their lives begin to change, and their hearts open up to new possibilities. But can they truly break free of the shackles of their old destructive choices? If you're a fan of sweet romance, second chances, and Amish fiction, I would recommend this book, which can be read as a standalone title. And as this is a Love Inspired title, you can be assured of a clean read, wholesome level one romance, and a satisfactory ending with a happily-ever-after in their future.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Can her guarded heart

find its way to love and redemption?

When a reckless street race injures her brother, Anika Glick wants nothing to do with the man responsible—especially when he’s sentenced to help her family. But Elam Muller is desperate to prove he’s changed. As they work together on her family farm, Anika finds herself drawn to Elam’s remorse and kindness. But when they're presented with one last risky race that could secure their future or destroy it all, everything they’ve built is put to the test. Will their growing love survive the pull of the past—or will it all come crashing down?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Shattered Sanctuary ~ Review

Shattered Sanctuary

The Erin Delaney Mysteries #1

By Nancy Mehl 

Erin Delaney has cut herself off from everyone who she used to know. Guilt and PTSD have controlled her since an on-the-job incident changed her life. She's now a former police officer and a best-selling author. But joy is missing and hope is nonexistent. When her online friend, Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, invites her to spend time at a secluded cabin, Erin doesn't jump at the chance, but she does agree to come.  

The cabin is secluded and has a somewhat disturbing past, a past that makes for some unsettling moments which add to the suspense. But the real problem comes when Erin and Kaely are drawn into a case involving a potential serial killer. Rest and relaxation and deep discussions are no longer their only focus. 

 

At the behest of local police chief Adrian Nightengale, Erin and Kaely put their skills to work. Can they stop a killer before he, or she, strikes again? Their lives and the community of Sanctuary depend on them outsmarting the killer. 

This is the first book in the Erin Delaney Mystery series, and it is packed full of suspense. With a winter storm bearing down on them, time is a luxury they don't have. There are some difficult issues that are tackled in this book, but they are handled in a compassionate manner. Hurting people need to heal, and sometimes it isn't easy for them to ask for or accept help. Excellent reading and I look forward to the next book in the series.

 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the Book:

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Genre: Christian Mystery and Suspense Romance

When she finally finds peace, she must confront her tragic past to stop a serial killer.

Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin’s intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer’s motives and strategically perfected methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

Order before March 18, 2025, for this preorder deal at BakerBookHouse.com: Visit https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598730 for 40% off, free US shipping, and a bonus signed bookplate and bookmark while supplies last.

 

The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds ~ Review

The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds

By Jennifer Moorman

Josephine Reynold's is lost. Her whole being was wrapped up in her late husband, and now she is floundering. Her withdrawal from the world outside her home has caused her sister Katherine to speak up. 

This intervention results in Josephine selling the home that Nate designed to his tastes. In a lucky happenstance, her great-grandmother's house comes on the market. But when Josephine starts restoring the house's outer appearance, including the front door, strange things begin happening. Cue the creepy music!

Josephine can now enter 1927 with its Jazz music, speakeasies, prohibition, and unique clothing! She is so out of her element, but she needs to spend some time-period cramming when she discovers she has wished herself out of existence piece by piece. Yikes!

But how do you undo a wish you made at a low point? Josephine needs to save her great-grandmother's life and restore her family's history before it is erased forever.

This is an interesting premise, the ability to erase one's entire existence through a wish made in grief and despair. When I was presented with an opportunity to read this book, I thought it was published by Thomas Nelson (Harper Collins Christian). No, rather, it was published by Harper Muse, totally my mistake as it was noted in a smaller font. So, there are a few elements that I was surprised to discover within the pages. Nothing graphic, but it does depict the era in its glitzed-up party atmosphere - smoking and drinking and hints at relations outside of marriage. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Can one thoughtless wish erase a life?

Widowed at thirty-five, Josephine Reynolds wishes she could disappear, but her concerned sister convinces her to buy their ancestral home, a Craftsman bungalow in disrepair and foreclosure. It's a welcome distraction, and Josephine can't believe her luck when she finds the home's original door in a salvage yard.

When she installs the door and steps through it, Josephine is transported into 1927, where she meets her great-grandmother Alma, a vivacious and daring woman running an illegal speakeasy in the bungalow's basement. Immersed in the vibrant Jazz Age, Josephine forms a profound bond with Alma, only to discover upon her return to the present that history has been altered. Alma's life was tragically cut short in a speakeasy raid just a week after their fateful meeting.
Josephine has a chilling revelation--her own existence is unraveling/vanishing--and she must race against time to rewrite history. Josephine is desperate to not only save Alma but save her own future in a time-bending journey where past and present intertwine in a desperate battle for survival.

Infused with Jennifer Moorman's signature blend of magical detail and heartfelt storytelling, The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds is a tale of resilience in the face of loss and a testament to the timeless bond of family.

A Noble Match ~ Available Now

A Noble Match

Cornerstone Series #2

By Kirsten Fitcher

Miette was never suppose to rule a country, but when her older brother is murdered by rebels, the duties of ruling are guaranteed. But how can she, the insignificant little sister to the beloved crown prince, take over a roll she had never prepared for? And now the Marriage Council is pressuring her to wed sooner rather than later. And her choice must be from among the nobles of Barlencoy. Her opinions on the matter don't matter, she must accepts one of the noble's suits.

Miette would much rather put off the decision and spend time studying her butterflies. But when whispers of another rebel uprising dictate her life. When the threats come closer still her late brother's friend Gavin Vollo is assigned as her personal guard. Gavin is the best person for the job in Miette's opinion. If only Gavin would speak of her brother it would be perfect. 

Gavin would rather be anywhere else. Miette brings up the pain of Cassoway's death and Gavin's guilt. He should have prevented it. Now he is left with the guilt and a broken spirit. But Miette isn't easily persuaded and soon Gavin finds himself with a front row seat to the totally inappropriate suitors brought forward. He knows what Cassoway would do if her were still alive. But Gavin is a common blood man. Just being a guard for the royal family is highly irregular.

When an attack nearly succeeds Gavin and Miette must look deep and decide what they will do and where their loyalties truly lie. Will Barlencoy be divided forever or will their actions unite the factions into a restored kingdom?

A Noble Match is the second book in the Cornerstone Series. This was a lovely and enjoyable read that is based on Thumbelina. There is no magic involved in this story. There is some interesting technology employed by the guards that proves pivotal in this book. The divide between the social classes is disheartening but it provides Miette with moments of growth throughout the book as she grows into her role as queen. I would recommend this book for preteens and older with no qualms concerning content.

I was provided a complimentary advanced copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Can one sparrow protect Thumbelina from suitors and rebels?

As the little sister to the crown prince, Miette was never meant to be in a position of power. When her brother Cassoway dies, the kingdom of Barlencoy suddenly becomes her most unwelcome gift. The land is torn apart by the classes, and rebellion boils at her doorstep. War is looming, and no one seems afraid of it. The kingdom may be hers, but she has no voice to quieten the tremors that threaten to tear everything she knows and loves apart.

But a marriage also looms on the horizon. With rebels after her head, it’s difficult to focus on the suitors after her heart. Miette knows she must choose a husband soon, but how can she when her heart secretly yearns for her brother’s best friend? Gavin Vollo is the perfect match in her eyes, but his common blood disqualifies him as a suitor.

Moving forward after Cassoway’s passing has been no easy task for Gavin. Especially since the prince’s death is his own fault. With his best friend gone, Gavin is a bodyguard without a real purpose. He doesn’t understand why the prince had to die – just like he doesn’t understand why the royal force wants him back to guard the new queen.

Can love and true joy bring peace, or will the kingdom break beyond recovery?

A Noble Match is a New Adult Christian fantasy Thumbelina retelling and is Book #2 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

About the Author:

Kirsten Fichter is a Christian writer who loves dragons, thick books, and a little coffee with her creamer. She’s married to her best friend, and she spends her day homeschooling and chasing after their four free-range children. When she doesn’t feel like sleeping, she writes.

 
Fairytales have always fascinated her, and she has made it her goal to rewrite as many as possible and become known as the "Grimm Dickens" (i.e. mixing Grimm fairytales with a Dickens style). She is present in many online circles under the name "Kiri Liz" if you care about things like that. As you read this, she'll be somewhere under a maple tree - trying very hard to finish the seventeen and half other stories she unwisely started all at once.

With Every Memory ~ Review

With Every Memory

By Janine Rosche

Ten months ago, Lori Mendenhall's life stopped, she didn't die, but she was in an accident that put her in a coma and stole years of memories from her. And it cost her the life of her son Austin. When she awakes, she struggles to make sense of the life she now lives from the one she remembers.

But as her memories slowly return in small pieces that are out of order, she begins to realize that the life she lost might not have been the one she was expecting. Worse, she senses that a lie has made its way into her family. A lie that could rip them apart if she remembers it. But when one's mind, one's brain has been damaged, how do you know which memories you can trust? 

With Every Memory is an exploration of family, love, and commitment. When one's life has been drastically altered, how does one deal with it? And when one has been betrayed by the very person you've given your heart to, what do you do next?   

Ten months ago, Lori Mendenhall's life stopped, she didn't die, but she was in an accident that put her in a coma and stole years of memories from her. And it cost her the life of her son Austin. When she awakes, she struggles to make sense of the life she now lives from the one she remembers.

But as her memories slowly return in small random pieces, she begins to realize that the life she lost might not have been the one she was expecting. Worse, she senses that a lie has made its way into her family. A lie that could rip them apart if she remembers it. But when one's mind, one's brain has been damaged, how do you know which memories you can trust? 

As Lori deals with everything, her husband Michael and daughter Avery are also dealing with all that has changed over the last year. Can they all come together again and become the family that they need to be? Or have the losses been too drastic? 

This is a book that deals with difficult issues, ones that could be triggers. Considering this, I feel the author did a good job in presenting them while allowing the characters to deal with the emotions each could elicit. Overall this was a good read that tackled everyday life.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Is the Life She Can't Remember One She'd Rather Forget?

One year after her family was in a tragic car accident that killed her teenage son, Lori Mendenhall returns home with a traumatic brain injury that has stolen the last eight years of memories from her. She is shocked that the life she led before the accident is unrecognizable. Her once-loving husband, Michael, is a distant workaholic she isn't sure she can trust, and her once-bubbly daughter, Avery, has spent the last year hidden away in her room.

For Avery, life stopped when she lost her twin. If she wants to graduate high school, she'll have to accept help from Xander Dixon, her brother's best friend and the boy who relentlessly teased her for years. And if Lori wants to reconnect with her husband, she'll have to grapple with information her brain is trying to keep secret. With every memory that returns, she can't help but wonder if the life she can't remember is one she'd rather forget.