The Captivating Lady Charlotte ~ Review

The Captivating Lady Charlotte
Regency Brides ~ A Legacy of Grace #2
By Carolyn Miller

Lady Charlotte Featherington is about to have her debut and she is determined to marry well and for love. But her mother has determined that Charlotte marry exceedingly well and into a higher title than she presently holds. Charlotte is sure that her desires and her mother's goals will never align. And a marriage like her long lost cousin Lavinia to the Earl of Hawkesbury is the perfect example of a match made for love.

 But with a mama like hers, she'll be fortunate to find someone she can tolerate. And when her heart takes a fancy to a handsome young suitor she's sure she has met the man she is destined to marry. Unfortunately, no one else seems to share her inclination. And her parents seem set on seeing her engaged to a recently widowed Duke.

The Duke of Hartington was hurt by his late wife's betrayal and is unsure of a second marriage. But something about the Lady Charlotte has captured his interest. Something about her seems genuine and yet she seems withdrawn. Can William find what he wants in a marriage with such a young woman? Or will the past repeat itself with Charlotte?

Those who have read the first book The Elusive Miss Ellison will delight in this second book in which Lavinia and her Earl do play an important, though secondary part, throughout. This is a story that doesn't just go from A to B but rather from A to D then to B before heading to C and concluding at the original destination ~ a satisfying conclusion with the reader eagerly anticipating what could come next in this series. Like most people's lives, there are moments when the reader is taken from a perfect moment to one where despair seems likely to reign and yet the undercurrent of hope remains. Carolyn Miller has crafted yet another Regency Era story that touches the heart of the reader.

Of note, if you haven't read the first book please do so before opening The Captivating Lady Charlotte or some of the story may not make sense as completely as it should. 

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

Her heart is her own—but her hand in marriage is another matter

Lady Charlotte Featherington is destined for great things on the marriage market. After all, as the beautiful daughter of a marquess, she should have her pick of the eligible nobility when she debuts. She, however, has love at the top of her list of marriageable attributes. And her romantic heart falls hard for one particularly dashing, attentive suitor. Sadly for Charlotte, her noble father intends her betrothed to be someone far more dull.

William Hartwell may be a duke, but he knows he was Charlotte's father's pick, not the young lady's own choice. And the captivating Lady Charlotte does not strike him as a woman who will be wooed by his wealth or title. While she has captured his heart, he has no idea how to win hers in return--and the betrayal and scandal his first wife put him through makes it difficult for him to believe that love can ever be trusted. His only hope is that Charlotte's sense of responsibility will win out over her romantic notions.

Can a widowed duke and a romantically inclined lady negotiate a future and discover love beyond duty? Will they be able to find healing and hope from the legacy of grace? Poignant and charming, this is another beautifully written, clean, and wholesome Regency romance from Carolyn Miller.

#Truth ~ Review

#Truth
365 Devotions for Teens
Connecting Life and Faith
By Josh McDowell

Looking for a devotional that will take you through the year?

Well, #Truth from Josh McDowell just might be what you are looking for. Each month is themed meaning the devotions fall under this theme.

And as a point of note #Truth has 29 days in February so you can read this devotional any year. Though this devotional is targeted at teens the messages are of importance to all who want to learn more about God and the truth about Him. Each day is a whole page - no shared pages or days with this devotional.

What is each month's focus you ask? Here is a brief synopsis along with the stated theme at the beginning of each month.

January = An Awesome God
The power of God over life and nature and His holy and pure being are examined.

February = Totally Inspired
God's words won't change or end while this world exists and we can know His thoughts through the Bible, which reveals all we need to know.

March = You Choose
Sin is a choice and we need to determine if we will choose to follow and trust God or choose the separation that sin brings.

April = He Entered My World
Jesus gave up His divine powers to experience life as us so that we would have the chance to know eternal life and freedom from sin's deadly consequences.

May = The Price of Forgiveness
Humanity's redemption was at the cost of Jesus' death and His temporary separation from God as He took our sins upon Himself.

June = The Power to Save
Salvation is a gift from God, not something we can boast of earning. God alone has this power, He is the only way to salvation and life after death if we accept His gift.

July = A New Person
Accepting God's gift makes us want to change, to be who we were meant to be if sin hadn't had an effect on us.

August = No End in Death
Death was the sacrifice that Jesus made to save us, but His death would have been meaningless if He had not risen from death. He conquered sin and death with His resurrection.

September = Empowered
The Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) was the internal presence of God in the life of those who believed (trusted) that Jesus was the Son of God. This presence identifies us as being with God and allows us to exhibit spiritual gifts.

October = How You View the World
A relationship with God changes how we see our place in the world, we view ourselves as members of a kingdom that has not yet come, to our perspective, in a physical sense, a kingdom free of sin and death.

November = Real Community
The true Church is not a building but rather all believers (think how all the different parts of your body make up you) the same is true of the Church. We are there to comfort and to encourage one another and be thankful for ALL He has done for us.

December = Waiting for His Return
After He arose from His death Jesus ascended into Heaven (which can be a difficult concept to fully understand). He remains there today waiting for us while preparing a new home that is without sin, sorrow, or pain.

This is a perfect start or end to your day - a way to learn more about God and His gift given freely to any willing to accept it. The devotionals passages are not overwhelming in giving too much, but rather a small portion perfect for reflection and examination upon finishing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.  

About the Book:
This brand-new devotional from Josh McDowell unpacks spiritual truths that inspire, challenge, and fuel young people every day of the year--from January 1 through December 31. Practical and relevant, each month of devotional readings shares a common theme--
January: The Truth That GOD Exists  -  December: The Truth About CHRIST'S Return.

Fraying at the Edge ~ Review

Fraying at the Edge
Amish of Summer Grove #2
By Cindy Woodsmall

For twenty years Ariana knew she was a Brenneman. And she was as Amish as she could be with her certainty that whatever those in authority said was the truth. But in an unexpected twist, she discovered that what she knew to be true was not as black and white as she had always believed. Her parents weren't her birth parents and she had no siblings. And the beliefs she had always held in highest regard were being attacked to her face and she wasn't allowed to be who she had always been. And worse, another young woman, a Skylar Nash was supposed to be living the life she had had. But Ariana was willing to be separated from the people she knew and loved to protect them from the man she had discovered was her biological father.

Meanwhile, Skylar is having issues of her own - no technology of any kind, banishment to the 18th century, sharing a bedroom, and no access to pills (to help her cope). And to top it all off the Brenneman's aren't that happy to see her thanks to her not being their precious Ariana. And they expect her to work like the rest of the family. But the Brenneman's is better than her other option rehab. But Skylar's biggest issue is that her not parent parents were more than eager to throw her over for a chance at a better daughter.

For both Ariana and Skylar life has just become so confusing as they struggle to make sense of who they are with their switched at birth identities revealed. And Ariana's siblings are having to find their new place without Ariana around to carry the load and make things better. The one hardest hit with the change is Abram - Ariana/Skylar's twin. And then there is Ariana's just purchased cafe that the Brenneman's are left with operating after two weeks of Ariana's guidance. Can we just say potential disaster in the making?

As Ariana and Skylar both confront the changes that life has just thrown at them they both have choices to make. And these choices could either make or break them. And for Ariana, her only hope of holding onto what makes her who she is is if she can withstand the pressures that Nicholas is placing on her. And to do that she will need to reach out to the one person who knows what she is going through - Quill Schlabach. But can Ariana trust someone who left the faith and broke her heart five years ago? And can she hold firm to who she is while being made to take part in a world she never wanted to know? And can Skylar use this separation from the world to get her life straightened out and get clean?

This the second book in the Amish of Summer Grove series continues the theme of family and familial ties. But this time it focuses more on what makes an individual a part of a family is it blood ties, the ties of rearing, or is it a decision made of the heart? And the back and forth between Ariana and Nicholas on matters of faith and belief makes for some interesting exchanges and Quill's insights offer even greater insights.

This book is both intriguing and thoughtful. But if you haven't read book 1 Ties that Bind you have to read it first! Much of this book would lose something without the backstory provided in book 1, though there is a The story so far... synopsis to refresh the reader's memory if needed. This is an excellent book that examines life and how circumstances play a part in our lives but the biggest influence on anyone is the choices they make. I highly recommend this book and anticipate the concluding book in this series Gathering the Threads which is releasing on August 15, 2017.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:

Family, community, faith, and love.

These “quilt blocks” sewn together made Ariana’s beautiful life.

When they are pulled to pieces,

will anything familiar remain?

The Old Order Amish life Ariana Brenneman loved vanished virtually overnight with the discovery that she was switched at birth twenty years ago. Now she’s immersed in the Englischer world, getting to know her mother and under the authority of her biological father, an atheist intellectual with resolute plans to expand Ariana’s worldview. Only Quill Schlabach, a childhood friend living Englisch, can steady the tilting ground between Ariana’s two worlds, but can she trust him after so many betrayals?

At the same time, Skylar Nash is forced to choose rehab or spend several months with her true relatives, the large Brenneman family and their seemingly backward life—no electricity, no technology, no fun. What the young woman can’t leave behind is her addiction to illegal prescription drugs and a deep emptiness from the belief that she doesn’t belong in either family.

New ties are binding Ariana and Skylar to the lives they were meant to have. Can they find the wisdom and strength they’ll need to follow God’s threads into unexpected futures?

Fraying at the Edge is the second novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

An Amish Summer ~ Review

An Amish Summer
Four Novellas
By Shelley Sheppard Gray,
      Amy Clipston,
        Kathleen Fuller, and
           Kelly Irvin

If you love reading collections of stories all wrapped up together in one book and you love Amish fiction you are in for a treat. Get ready to enjoy summer in four different Amish communities as the path to love is strewn with different obstacles.

A Reunion in Pinecraft is a fun bit of mistaken identity that could lead Graham Holland into big trouble. For six months Graham has been remembering the wrong sister to whom he has been corresponding. Can he remedy the situation before he loses his chance at happiness and marriage? And adding to the confusion is the reactions of the Kramer sisters to Graham's behavior and attention to them. This reunion may be the best or worst thing that ever happened to any of them!

Summer Storms finds Ariana Smucker and Jesse Nook in a quandary after a day of fun with their youth group. After an accident brings Ariana's father wrath down on both Jesse and Ariana's brother Tobias - their engagement is off. And nothing Jesse or Arianna say will change her father's mind. But with a little encouragement from his brother and the memory of Tobias's words Jesse is determined to prove that he is worthy of Ariana and that she is worth the effort to win. Can love overcome a loss of trust?

Lakeside Love finds Esther Coblentz in the shadow of her younger sister's head-turning beauty, especially where Judah King is concerned. Esther is only of interest to Judah when he needs her to give Sarah a message. But when Esther resigns herself to Judah's indifference and shares a summer friendship with an Englischer who is boarding with her family, she starts to attract some attention of her own. But can she trust what she is seeing? Or will she lose out to Sarah in the end?

One Sweet Kiss finds Martha Byler beside herself with her boyfriend Jacob King. Jacob is anything but manly in his behavior as far as Martha is concerned. And his friends are even worse. The last thing Martha needs in her life is a boyfriend who is less grown-up than her younger siblings. But not everything is as it seems and Jacob just needs to prove to Martha that he is the man she wishes he was but an encounter with an alligator may be just what they need to smooth everything out.

This was a fun collection of stories that because they were 4-in-1 made it easy to put it down when the end of one story was reached, or it should have been if I wasn't such a bookworm and have trouble putting books down all the time. But seriously if you have time constraints this is the perfect format to feel a sense of accomplishment while not finishing the book in one sitting (for various reasons including needing to get to work on time). This is also a fun way to discover unfamiliar authors as each story is by a different writer. And if you are familiar with these authors think of this as a tide over till their next full-length book comes out.

I was provided a free copy of this book and no expectations of a positive review were required. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A new novella collection of sweet, summer romances from 

some of our favorite Amish authors!

A Reunion in Pinecraft by Shelley Shepard Gray

When sisters Sharon and Sherilyn Kramer attend a wedding in Shipshewana, one of them returns with a new penpal while the other returns to her job at the bakery. After sending weekly letters back and forth, Sherry and Graham Holland arrange a reunion in Pinecraft. Upon Graham’s arrival, however, he realizes he’s been writing to the wrong sister. He decides to use the reunion as a way to get to know both sisters, but can he sort through the confusion in time to turn the worst vacation ever into something truly wonderful?

Summer Storms by Amy Clipston

Ariana is counting down the days until her wedding to Jesse. They have been friends longer than Arianna can remember, and that friendship turned into love over the past couple of years. But when Arianna’s brother Tobias, who happens to be Jesse’s best friend, gets them both into trouble, Arianna’s father puts an end to her engagement to Jesse. Some summer storms pass quickly, but Arianna is afraid the damage from this one may be too much to repair.

Lakeside Love by Kathleen Fuller

Esther has always lived in the shadow of her beautiful younger sister Sarah. Even the boy she has known—and loved—her entire life, Judah, only has eyes for Sarah. But when a handsome young Englischer comes to live with the family for a summer, everything begins to change.

One Sweet Kiss by Kelly Irvin

Everybody in little Bee County, Texas, can see the obvious: Jacob King and Martha Byler are meant to be together. Everyone, that is, but Martha. Ever since her mother died when Martha was a young girl, she has taken over the role of caregiver to her large family. And reckless Jacob, who has had a little too much fun on his rumspringa, only seems to add to the list of people to manage. But one summer changes everything, and these two may just find a way to meet in the middle and share one sweet kiss.

Ties That Bind ~ Review

Ties That Bind
The Amish of Summer Grove #1
By Cindy Woodsmall

Ariana Brenneman loves Her Amish life and can't understand why anyone would ever want to leave it behind and face separation from friends and family left behind. And she's never been able to get over the fact that the man she had hoped to marry turned his back on his Amish roots five years ago.

But Quill Schlabach has made a reappearance in Summer Grove and Ariana fears that his presence means yet more Amish are about to slip away and be lost to her forever. But Ariana only knows the story that was told to her she doesn't know it all (and the reader is left to discover the truth as the story unfolds). But an even bigger secret is about to be revealed, one that could threaten everything Ariana has ever known and unfortunately for Quill he is about to find himself smack-dab in the center of everything.

Meanwhile living a life that is as unAmish as one could possibly get is Skylar Nash a young woman who is struggling with who she is and even her totally dysfunctional family. Skylar's passion is acting and the life of a performer. Unfortunately, she feels she plays the part of failure all too well when it comes to her day-to-day life. She is on a slow descent into a path she may never get out of. And Skylar's actions are about to set her on a path she doesn't want.

What are the ties that bind one together as a family? Is it blood? Is it the household in which one was raised? And what makes a community a community? This is a question that is woven throughout this story but don't expect an answer by the end as this is but the first in a three book series. (But don't fret book 2 is out and the conclusion will be available in August).

This is a story that will touch the heart of any reader. Secrets, betrayal, and family are the focus of this book and I for one can't wait to see where the second book Fraying at the Edge leads.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Ariana’s comfortable Old Order Amish world 

is about to unravel. Will holding tightly 

to the cords of family keep them together—

or simply tear them apart?

Twenty-year-old Ariana Brenneman loves her family and the Old Ways. She has two aspirations: open a café in historic Summer Grove to help support her family’s ever-expanding brood and to keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach. 
 
Five years ago Quill, along with her dear friend Frieda, ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal. When she unexpectedly encounters him, she soon realizes he has plans to help someone else she loves leave the Amish.  

Despite how things look, Quill’s goal has always been to protect Ariana from anything that may hurt her, including the reasons he left. After returning to Summer Grove on another matter, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of. His love and loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust and help her find a way to buy the café—because when she learns the truth that connects her and a stranger named Skylar Nash, Quill knows it may upend her life forever.      
 
Ties That Bind is the first novel in the Amish of Summer Grove series.

My Daughter's Legacy ~ Review

My Daughter's Legacy
Cousins of the Dove #3
By Mindy Starns Clark
     and Leslie Gould

The Cousins of the Dove series concludes with this the final book in the series My Daughter's Legacy. Once again we are on reading journey that follows the Talbot family as they make a home for themselves while holding true to their faith and their convictions both in the past and the present day.

This time we go from 1864 Virginia during the final months of the Civil War and present day Virginia. The Talbots of today are learning more about the legacy that was left to them by those who came before. And the days of slavery made an impact upon the family as they stood by their belief that all should be free - but war has drawn them in and as citizens of Virginia are expected to do their part in defending their way of life. Therese Jenning's always thought Michael Talbot was the man who she would marry, but when he returns home to fight for the South she is uncertain if he was truly who she thought he was. And while Michael proves to be a disappointment to her faith and values, his cousin from Boston, Alec Talbot seems to hold to the same values that she does. But a future with Alec means leaving everything and everyone she has ever known behind.

Meanwhile, the Talbot cousins of present day Virginia are preparing for yet another Talbot family reunion. This reunion will be the first that Nicole has attended in several years - since before her grandfather's death. But she is finally in control of her life and avoiding her former lifestyle with the help she has received, but the past can still be a temptation. And the investigation of the murder that occurred years ago has seemingly stalled. Can the secret that Nicole has been keeping all these years make a difference? Or will it destroy the legacy of the Talbot family?

My Daughter's Legacy is a delightful mix of mystery, history, and romance that will capture the reader's attention from the first page. The historical portion of the story does not depend on reading the previous books in the series, but for the present day portion reading the previous books is highly recommended. The shift in focus is noted by the character name that heads each chapter - so the reader is not left with guessing though it should be fairly obvious as to which time period is being focused on.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Harvest House with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Women of Strong Conviction

Virginia, 1864. Therese Jennings's immediate family has never owned slaves—until her estranged maternal grandfather dies during the Civil War and leaves his slaves to them in his will. Upset with her widowed mother's plan to accept this appalling inheritance, Therese flees the family estate in rural Virginia and heads to Richmond. As she works by day and volunteers by night, she finds herself drawn to a handsome doctor. But how can she pursue the longings of her heart when the world she has always known is falling apart around her?

Virginia, Present Day. Nicole Talbot is finally on track and doing well after years of substance abuse. Thanks to a car accident that nearly took her life and ended up saving it instead, she has managed to get sober and stay that way. Now she's back in college, pursuing a degree in social work, with her wealthy grandmother picking up the tab. But there are strings attached, and when Nicole is forced to choose between honoring those strings and doing something she knows is right, she risks losing not just the financial backing of her grandmother but the trust and support of her entire family. Meanwhile, Nicole struggles to hide a growing attraction to her new boss, a man who is off limits in more ways than one.

My Daughter's Legacy presents a thrilling tale of two women, centuries apart, who are forced to move beyond their past mistakes, make difficult choices, and open their hearts to true love at last.

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island ~ Review

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island
        Maude's Mooring
By Carrie Fancett Pagels

Maude Welling is determined to convince her father to allow her to take over the family's inn - one that has been in her mother's family for generations. But her father is insistent that she be married before taking over the Winds of Mackinac Inn in any capacity. But Maude's hopes for marriage are soon dashed with her intended's change of heart. But Maude is determined to prove to her father that she can handle the responsibilities by taking a position with their competition as a maid. But working as a maid isn't as easy as it appears.

Meanwhile, Ben Steffans has come to Mackinac on assignment - pretend he is a man of means while searching out prospectors who are in pursuit of well-to-do heiresses who will elevate not only their social standing but their economic standing as well. Ben's biggest obstacle to fleshing out his story - finding island locals willing to talk to an outsider.

But more is going on at this summer destination than anyone could possibly imagine and before long Maude and Ben find themselves caught up in the stories that they have woven. But when the truth comes out will the damages be too great to undo or will these two hurting people discover that there was something better for them all along?

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring is a delightful escape into a time, while not simpler, that was less encumbered by technology. What's fun about this book is that my great-great-grandmother lived not too far from here at the time - it is interesting to know what her world was like. So if you like sweet historical fiction with a dash of romance and mystery thrown in give this one a look-see.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.  


About the Book:
Although the Winds of Mackinac Inn has been in her mother’s family for generations, Maude Welling’s father refuses to let her run it without the guidance of a husband. So she seeks to prove her worth and independence by working incognito as a maid at the Grand Hotel.

Undercover journalist Ben Steffans, posing as a wealthy industrialist, pursues a story about impoverished men chasing heiresses at the famed hotel. While undercover, he becomes attracted to an intriguing maid. By an act of heroism Ben endears himself to the closed-mouthed islanders—including Maude—and he digs deep for his story.

But when scandal threatens, will the growing love between Maude and Ben be scuttled when truths are revealed?