I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
This is a short book that is a quick and lovely read. Set in the Amish world of a potato farm in Maine, it brought back memories of my own time of living in Maine and how focused everyone was when it was potato harvest time. Susanna Peachy goes to live with her grandfather and his wife because her step-grandmother has a broken wrist and needs help during this busy time. Unknown to her before her arrival, her grandfather has hired her former suitor, Peter Lambright, to help with the harvest. That means Susanna will see him daily as one of her duties is to make and serve lunch to the workers. I enjoyed the sweetness of the story and the realistic details about the characters and the setting. Susanna was self-conscious about her appearance and has made big changes by changing her dietary habits. That fact attracts attention from other possible suitors and also makes her wonder if people can be so shallow as to only like others who look good physically. The story had a lesson to teach and a love story to tell, with some obstacles in the way of the would-be couple. Fans of light romance will enjoy reading the story and learn about how hard potato harvesting can be. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Rated G for general audiences. This is a clean Christian fiction.
About the Author Carrie Lighte enjoys traveling to Amish communities across the United States and she hopes to visit a few in Canada soon, too. When she isn’t writing, reading or researching, she likes to hike, kayak and spend time at the beach. Connect with the Author Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/carrielighte Website: http://www.carrielighte.com/books
This is a thought-provoking story about mother-daughter relationships, friendships and abuse. Whitney and her daughter Amelia had always been close, but suddenly Amelia seems to be pulling away. Then, one day, when Whitney drops Amelia off at a friend’s house, Amelia disappears. This novel is about the desperate search of a mother for her child and her confrontation with the truth of her past. With two timelines, past and present, and a narrator who is omniscient, I never knew what to expect from one chapter to the next. There is a big reveal close to the end, and I certainly never guessed it! I enjoyed following the clues as I encouraged Whitney not to give up but to keep trying to find her missing daughter. The love between the two of them is evident, but teen rebellion is part of the story, too. I can’t say that the relationship between the two of them was particularly healthy, especially since Whitney seemed to cling to Amelia like a lifeline, but their relationship was symbiotic. I enjoyed the slow pealing back of the hidden facets of the characters and the slow reveal of what was really happening between Whitney and Amelia. Great story told in an original and creative way! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Amber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they’re real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California.
1 FRIDAY, 5:00 P.M. DROP-OFF WHITNEY WANTED TO get rid of her daughter. How awful is that? Not forever, of course, but for the night. She was weary of the sixteen-year-old attitude. The rolling of eyes, stomping of feet, the judging glances and biting remarks. That’s why she wasn’t paying as much attention as she should’ve been when dropping Amelia off at Lauren’s. Her mind was back in their apartment, her butt planted on the couch, bare feet propped on the table, a pint of ice cream in her lap. “The destination is on your right.” She turned the steering wheel, following the instructions given by the disembodied voice of the GPS in her daughter’s phone. Amelia held it up, giving the illusion that her palm was talking. The house in front of them was nondescript. A tract home, painted tan with beige trim, a cream door, two large windows overlooking the narrow front walkway. The only thing that set it apart from the others was the row of rosebushes lining the left perimeter of the yard, scarlet red petals and thorny, jagged stems. Whitney pulled her car over, tires hugging the curb. Amelia hopped out the minute her mother’s foot pressed down on the brakes, as if she was desperate to be free of her. “You sure this is her house?” Whitney asked. Amelia shrugged, glancing down at her phone and then back up. “This is the address she gave me.” Her tone was impatient, irritated. That’s how she’d been lately. Distant and moody. Everything her mom said and did annoyed her. Originally, she’d planned to walk Amelia up to the front door and meet Lauren’s mom. But on the way over here, Amelia had begged her not to do that, pointing out that she was no longer a little girl. As much as Whitney hated to admit it, she could see her point. Amelia was sixteen. As soon as she finished her driver’s training and passed her test, she’d be driving on her own and then Whitney wouldn’t even have the option of dropping her off at her friend’s. It was time she learned to let go, loosen the death grip a little. Instead of following her daughter, Whitney stayed inside the car, watching through the smudged glass of the passenger-side window. Amelia’s dark hair swished down her spine as she sped to the front door. When she reached it, she readjusted the blue overnight bag that was secured on her shoulder while lifting her other hand to knock. Lauren appeared in the doorway, flashing a smile at Amelia. She wore a pink headband that made her look much younger than seventeen. Amelia peered over her shoulder before stepping forward, her lips curling at the corners as she threw her mom another wave. It was the largest grin Whitney had gotten in days, and she welcomed it, grabbed hold of it and then gave it back. After watching them both disappear inside, Whitney pulled away from the curb. Without even looking in the rearview mirror, she sped toward her night of freedom, dreaming of a couch to herself and a movie Amelia couldn’t make fun of. SATURDAY, 10:00 A.M.
SEVENTEEN HOURS AFTER DROP-OFF Whitney had been up for hours, and still hadn’t heard from Amelia. Last night was restful. Quiet. Peaceful. All the things Whitney had wanted it to be. Much needed. But this morning she was suffering from a serious case of mom guilt. She missed her daughter. Was anxious for her to come home, attitude and all. Unlocking her phone, she shot her a quick text: Ready for me to pick you up? Even after several minutes, no response came. Not that she was shocked. When Amelia had friends over, they stayed up all night giggling and talking. No matter how many times Whitney would remind them to keep it down, within minutes their muffled voices would return, drifting through the adjoining bedroom wall. Most likely, she’d done the same at Lauren’s and they were both still asleep. The house smelled like Saturday morning—coffee, creamer, maple syrup. French toast had been a weekend tradition for years. When Amelia was little, she’d wake up early and bound into her mom’s bedroom, eager for breakfast. But lately it seemed Whitney ate alone more often than not. Even when Amelia was home, there was no guarantee she’d join her. Amelia lived in her room, earbuds perpetually plugged in her ears, as if she’d grown another extremity. Still, Whitney couldn’t bring herself to stop the tradition altogether. The French toast would get eaten, even if it took a couple of days. Whitney didn’t mind leftovers, anyway. Not that she had many this morning. She’d gone for an extra-long jog and had been ravenous. After cleaning up the kitchen, Whitney went back into her phone and clicked on the Snapchat app. Amelia may have been quiet around the house lately, but she had no problem sharing her life with the rest of the world. Whitney expected to be greeted by smiling selfies of her and Lauren, maybe some photos of the food they were eating, proof to all the other teenagers on social media that they were having a blast on their Friday night together. But nothing had been posted on her story in the last twenty-four hours. With slick fingertips, Whitney closed out of Snapchat and checked Instagram. Nothing there either. A chill brushed over her neck, causing the hairs to stand on end. She shook the feeling away with an abrupt jerk of her head. Whitney had always been like this. Anxious. A worrier, especially when it came to Amelia. Perpetually thinking the worst. Amelia hated it. So had her ex-husband. It was one of the many things they fought about. And it was probably one of many reasons why Dan had ended up marrying that sunny, smiling, high-pitched preschool teacher. If Whitney had to take a guess, she’d say there were no skeletons in Miss Karen’s closet. No past indiscretions she was afraid of coming to light. No monsters from her past lurking around the corner. No secret buried inside, so deep the roots had become invisible. When Dan married Karen, Whitney remembered thinking how he had succeeded in finding someone completely opposite from her, just like he said he would. It didn’t take him long either. He’d met Karen less than a year after they’d split up. He and Karen were friends for a while, and then dated for several years before marrying. That was how he always defended it. We were friends first. We took it slow. But that was never the point. He should have made Amelia his priority. Whitney hadn’t dated at all while Amelia was growing up—she’d only started within the last couple of years. Once Amelia hit high school and started having a life of her own, Whitney figured it was time she did too. Leaning against the counter, she stared out the kitchen window. There wasn’t a view. The window overlooked the apartment across the way. A man stood in his kitchen, his back to Whitney as he drank coffee. His build vaguely reminded Whitney of Jay, and it made her smile. Going into her last text thread with him, she typed, I miss you.
Then she bit her lip. Too forward? Too soon? They’d been dating for a couple of months, and he’d only been on an overnight business trip. He was returning later today. She didn’t want to come on too strong. Backspace. Delete. She tried again: Hope your trip was good. Too formal? Whitney paused, thinking. Why am I making this so hard? She really liked Jay. That was the problem. He was the first guy in a long time she felt hopeful about. Usually by month two of dating someone, the red flags popped up and her interest waned. That hadn’t happened yet with Jay. Turns out, she didn’t need to stress over what to text. Jay beat her to it. Boarding the plane now. Will call you when I’m back, he texted. Sounds good, she responded. It was 10:30. There were a million things on the agenda today and waiting around for Amelia wasn’t one of them. After hitting the grocery store and Target, Whitney swung by Lauren’s, using the memory of how they’d gotten there yesterday as her guide. It was a little tricky, since she hadn’t paid enough attention to Amelia’s directions yesterday, but after a few minutes of circling the neighborhood, she came upon a familiar street and turned on it. A couple of houses in, she recognized the rosebushes. It had been well over an hour since she’d sent the last text to Amelia. Although there hadn’t been any response yet, Whitney was sure she was up by now. Probably hoping to buy more time with her friend. Whitney had gotten Amelia a bag of gummy worms. She pulled it out of one of the grocery bags. It crinkled as she set it on the passenger seat. Amelia probably wouldn’t even eat them. Certainly, they didn’t fit within the parameters of her latest diet, but, still, Whitney couldn’t resist. Whitney’s habit of picking up treats at the store had started back when Amelia was a toddler, when she’d surprised her with a bag of cookies one afternoon when picking her up from preschool. Whitney would never forget how wide Amelia’s eyes got, how broad her smile became as she clutched the little bag. A lot of things may have changed between them over the past few years, but Whitney didn’t want that to be one of them. After getting out of the car, she slipped the key ring around her finger and walked up the front walkway, flip-flops slapping on the pavement. It was a warm, spring day. Kids played outside a few houses down. A lawnmower kicked on. A couple rode their bikes past, bright neon helmets bouncing up and down like beach balls bobbing in the waves. Amelia used to love to ride bikes. For a while, it had been a weekend tradition. Whitney couldn’t remember the last time they’d hit the trails together, but she made a note to ask her about it. Most likely her answer would be a big resounding no, coupled with the same cringey, horrified look she had whenever Whitney suggested they hang out. Still, it was worth a shot. Sometimes Amelia surprised her with a yes, reminding Whitney of the girl she used to be before the teenage monster took over. When Whitney reached the door, she lifted her hand to knock the same way she’d watched Amelia do the day before. A minute passed and no one answered. That funny feeling returned, but she shoved it down, feeling silly. She knocked again, this time so hard it stung her knuckles. The girls were probably listening to music or something. Or maybe they were in the backyard. It was a nice day. Ears perked, she listened for the sound of her daughter’s voice or of music playing inside. Hearing neither of those, she frowned. Finally, Whitney caught the hint of footsteps inside. The door creaked open, an older woman peering out, eyebrows raised. She looked to be in her late sixties, maybe early seventies.
Whitney was taken aback. She’d never met Lauren’s mom, but there was no way this was her. Maybe Lauren’s grandparents lived with them. Recently, Whitney had watched a news report about how the cost of living had gone up, causing multigenerational homes to become a growing trend. And Lauren had mentioned that her parents were divorced. Whitney knew firsthand how financially taxing it was to raise a child alone. “Hi, I’m Whitney. Amelia’s mom.” Smiling, Whitney jutted out her hand. But the elderly woman just stared at it, not saying a word. She glanced over her shoulder where a man around her same age stood. He furrowed his brows and stepped forward. Whitney’s body tensed. Maybe she’s got dementia or Alzheimer’s or something. Whitney caught the old man’s eyes. “Hi, I’m Amelia’s mom. She spent the night here.” “Nope. Not here.” Shaking his head, he came closer. “You must have the wrong house. They all kinda look the same in this neighborhood.” Whitney glanced around. Hadn’t she thought the same thing yesterday? She must’ve turned down the wrong street or something. Face warming, she backed away from the door. “I’m so sorry to have bothered you.” “No bother at all,” the man said, and the woman offered a kind smile. Whitney turned on her heels and made her way back to the car. She turned on the ignition and pulled away from the curb. The couple had already disappeared inside. Whitney drove to the main street and turned right. When she came up on another street, she turned onto it. The man was right. There were lots of houses that looked like theirs. She pulled up in front of one, scanning the yard. Nope. No roses. That’s what had set the other house apart. The one she dropped Amelia off at. She moved farther down the street, carefully looking to the right and to the left, searching for a one- story house, roses lining the perimeter. Coming up empty, she swung the car around. Maybe her mistake had been turning right at the main street. Backtracking, this time Whitney turned left. This street was almost identical to the other two she’d just been down. Same tract homes. Manicured lawns. Shuttered windows. A sea of tan paint and beige trim. The odd red door or colorful lawn art. But, again, no roses. At least, not in the correct spot. Turning onto another street, she finally found it. The simple house. The roses lining the side. After parking in front, she leaped out and hurried to the front door. It was answered after only a couple of knocks. She gasped, taking in the elderly man standing in the doorway. The same one she’d just spoken to a few moments ago. Oh, my God. She’d ended up right back where she’d started. As she backed away from the door, apologizing profusely, she took in the shuttered windows, the manicured lawn, the roses lining the perimeter of the yard. Peering back at her car, she envisioned Amelia in the front seat holding her phone, the voice of the GPS speaking in her palm. There was almost no doubt in Whitney’s mind—this was where she’d left her.
Sasha is a surgeon on a little Caribbean island where she grew up. There she meets Dr. Nate, a physician at an elite clinic on the island. Sasha assumes that Nate is rich and not worth her time since she already had an encounter with a rich guy who treated her badly. The plot is fun to read but predictable. I enjoyed the medical details in the book, including a disease that Sasha’s uncle was diagnosed with. I really enjoyed the interactions between Sasha and Nate as they discovered truths about each other. The main characters were very well-developed in such a way that I felt as if I knew them personally by the end of the book. Nate was caring and compassionate, a young man who put the needs of others above his own needs. Sasha was wary and hesitant and a skilled surgeon who wants to guard her heart. The way the two of them meet and how they pursue a relationship made for a fun read. There were definitely some steamy sex scenes, so this book may not be for all romance readers. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Rated PG-13 because of content.
About the Author
A three-time Golden Heart® finalist, Tina Beckett is the product of a navy upbringing. Always on the move, her travels eventually took her outside of the United States, where English reading material was scarce. Her supply of books eventually ran out, and she started writing her own stories, fashioned after the romance novels she’d loved through the years. She finished that first book and moved on to the next. After the fourth manuscript, she realized there was no going back…she was officially a writer.
When not in the middle of her latest book, Tina enjoys crafting stained glass panels, riding horses and hiking with her family. Fluent in Portuguese, she divides her time between Brazil and the United States and loves to use exotic locales as the backdrop for many of her stories.
Nate Edwards stood on the tarmac, a tiny cloth doll clutched in his hand, awaiting the Medicine Around the World plane that would whisk him away from Saint Victoria and the aftermath of the hurricane that had wreaked havoc on the small Caribbean island. His thumb rubbed across the doll’s rough cloth, trying not to picture the tearstained eyes of her parents as they presented the gift to him. But their faces were forever burned into his memory. As was the dark-haired child who had been so very sick. And yet she’d managed the tiniest of smiles for him. With the island’s hospital obliterated by the fury of the storm, there had been little hope of saving her.
But God, how he’d wanted to. How he’d fought for her.
The phone in his pocket pinged.
Hell. His team had had only the most rudimentary supplies to work with during their stay. How, then, could cell phone signals still get through?
He pulled the phone out of his pocket, glad he’d charged it before packing for the trip home.
His mom’s name appeared at the top of the screen.
Glad you’re coming home today. We have a big surprise waiting for you! Your father and I can’t wait for you to see it.
A sense of dread filled his gut. He’d hoped by coming to the island he could circumvent their plans and buy himself a little more time to explain things to them. And then there was Tara, who had been hinting about settling down once he finished specializing. Except so much had changed. He tucked the doll under his arm as a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. He typed back.
Please don’t do anything until I get there.
He had no idea how he was going to tell them that he had no intention of joining their practice. After his trip to Saint Victoria—which they hadn’t approved of—the last thing he wanted to do was practice plastic surgery on the rich and famous.
One of his colleagues came up beside him. “Nate, we just got the results back on your patient’s mystery illness.”
Too late. Marie had already passed away. Still he forced himself to ask. “What was it?”
“Schistosomiasis. It must have damaged her liver and intestines beyond repair. That’s why she was so jaundiced. She had to have had it for a while.”
A parasite found in water had killed her? He closed his eyes. That possibility had never even crossed his mind. They’d had to send samples via water courier to a neighboring island, but he’d known in his heart it was too late. It should make him feel better to know there was nothing he could have done. Instead he just felt…empty. And now he had to go home and face his parents and Tara.
He forced himself to meet the eyes of his colleague. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“You’re welcome.” Peter clapped him on the back. “Not your fault.”
“Thanks.”
What else could he say?
Just then his phone pinged again, the screen lighting up and drawing his attention to the words that were printed there.
Too late. It’s already done.
Three smiley faces appeared at the end of the phrase.
She was right. It was already done. All of it.
New kind of Harlequin romance for me. Good medical details that added to the story.
This was a quick and entertaining Amish romance with what begins with a devastating action against an innocent young girl. Eve Summy goes to what she thinks will be a group singing and is assaulted by the young man who invited her. When she got home, her stern father demanded that she marry this attacker or be shunned. Since being Amish is all that she knows, Eve is devastated and inconsolable until a relative newcomer to the community steps up and says that he will marry her instead. Levi is like a hero sweeping in to save the day, even though Eve barely knows him. I thought that part of the plot was rather unbelievable but the way the author wove the simple wedding and then Eve moving to Delaware to be with his family into the story convinced me that it could actually happen. Levi was loving and kind and willing to sacrifice his future for the happiness of this young woman who had been so brutally treated, first by her attacker and then by her father. The first part of the story did not seem like an Amish romance to me since they are usually uplifting from the beginning. But it did set the stage for the rest of the book and was not presented in any way that was graphic in the details. The characters were well-developed, especially Eve, Levi and his family. I felt as though I got to know them well and I particularly liked Levi’s stepmother Rosemary, a woman who was wise and compassionate and kind, willing to become a mother to the young woman who desperately needed acceptance. Eve followed the family routine well and seemed to fit in, even though Levi’s father was not as accepting of the marriage as he seemed. He made assumptions about why Levi married Eve and that did present some difficulties for father and son. With themes of hope, forgiveness, trusting others and finding God’s will, this was a wonderful little book to read that ended up being an encouraging word to my heart and soul. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Rated PG
About the Author:
Emma Miller lives quietly in her old farmhouse in rural Delaware amid fertile fields and lush woodlands. Fortunate enough to be born into a family of strong faith, she grew up on a dairy farm, surrounded by loving parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Emma was educated in local schools, and once taught in an Amish schoolhouse much like the one at Seven Poplars. When she’s not caring for her large family, reading and writing are her favorite pastimes.
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Through the trees, Eve spotted her father’s windmill and ran faster, ignoring the branches and underbrush that tore at her hair and scratched her arms and face. She took in great gulps of air, sobbing with relief as she sprinted the final distance. She had prayed to God over and over throughout the night. She had begged Him to see her home safely. Now the sun was breaking over the horizon, and she had made it the more than ten miles home in the dark.
Bursting from the edge of the woods, she hitched up her dirty and torn dress, the hem wet from the dew, and climbed over the fence. In her father’s pasture, she hurried past the horses and sheep, her gaze fixed on the white farmhouse ahead. If she could just make it to the house, her father would be there. She would be safe at last, and he would know what to do.
Trying to calm her pounding heart, Eve inhaled deeply. At last, her breath was coming more evenly. She wiped at her eyes with the torn sleeve of her favorite dress. She was safe. She was home. Her father would protect her.
At the gate into the barnyard, she let herself through and slowed to a walk as she neared the back porch. Her father’s beagle trotted toward her, barking in greeting. Through the windows, she could see into the kitchen where a light glowed from an oil lamp that hung over the table. Her father and sisters and brothers would be there waiting for her. As she climbed the steps to the porch, her wet sneakers squeaked. Hours ago, she had crossed a low spot in the woods and soaked her canvas shoes.
She had almost reached the door when it swung open.
“Dat,” she cried, throwing herself at him, bursting into tears. “Oh, Dat.”
“Dochter.” Her father grasped her by the shoulders, but instead of embracing her, he pushed her back. “Where have you been?” he demanded in Pennsylvania Deitsch. He looked her up and down, not in relief that she was safely home, but in anger. “Where is your prayer kapp?”
Eve raised her hand to her hair to find it uncovered. “Oh,” she cried. “I must have… I must have lost it in the woods somewhere.” She brushed back her brown hair that had come loose from the neat bun at the nape of her neck to fall in hanks around her face. She pulled a twig from her hair. “Dat. Something terrible happened. I—”
“Where have you been all night?” he boomed, becoming angrier with her by the second. “Who have you been with?” he shouted. “To sneak out of my house after I forbade you to go? I should beat you!”
When she looked up at him, Eve realized she had made a terrible mistake. It had taken her hours to find her way home. She had walked and run all night, choosing the long way home because she had been afraid to follow any main roads for fear Jemuel would find her. She had climbed fences, been scratched by briars and been chased by a feral dog. At one point, she had been lost and worried she had walked too far, or in the wrong direction. But she hadn’t given up because she knew that if she could make it home safely, everything would be all right.
But looking at her father’s stern face, at his long, thick gray beard and his angry eyes that stared at her from behind his wire-frame glasses, she realized she was wrong. She wasn’t safe. And perhaps she would never be so again because she knew what her father was going to say before the words came out of his mouth.
He pointed an accusing finger. “You will marry that boy!” Amon Summy shouted, spittle flying from his mouth.
Eve lowered her head, tears streaming down her cheeks as she prayed fervently to God again to help her.
This is a really sweet, feel-good contemporary romance. Ivey is a veterinarian and her assistant is Hope. Ivey has declared that this will be a summer without a long and complicated relationship. At least, that is what she believes until she meets the new man in town, Corbin. Corbin is a single dad to his young son Justin and is struggling with being a single parent and trying to work. Enter Corbin’s older brother Lang, a character who is like a guardian angel who is always “johnny on the spot” for him. He has come to town to help Corbin take care of Justin. Naturally, Corbin and Ivey start hanging out together and Lang starts to woo Hope away from her trust issues. Although I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, Justin captured my heart because of his deep love for animals and his need to be wanted and loved. This is a great summer read because of the characters who steal the show and the animals who are so endearing, too. As the characters discovered their inner strength and the ability to juggle family and friendships, I discovered that I was totally absorbed in reading their story. The plot just naturally flowed and was easy to read. This is a book that I will long remember for its characters and its lessons about depending on others. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I would rate this book a PG-13 because of some content.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She lives in Central Ohio where coffee helps her keep up with her cats and grandkids between writing books. For more about Lori, visit her website at http://www.lorifoster.com, like her on Facebook or find her on Twitter, @lorilfoster.
Ivey Anders shoved back a wayward curl and gently secured the dog against her body so it couldn’t move while her tech, Hope Mage, carefully clipped away the twisted wire. The poor thing, a stray by the looks of it, had gotten itself tangled pretty tightly and one hind leg was in bad shape. Ivey wanted to get it to the clinic where she could properly assess the damage.
Mud caked the fur, making it difficult to find any other injuries just yet, but there was one astounding fact Ivey couldn’t ignore.
Behind her, the homeowner groused that the dog had likely been stealing eggs from his chicken coop.
Voice calm, temper mostly in check, Ivey said, “You didn’t hesitate to call me, did you, Marty?” It was well-known that Marty was not a fan of dogs, or cats for that matter, and mostly considered them a nuisance. However, they’d come to an agreement some time ago. Marty, who owned a fair amount of wooded acreage, was supposed to call her if a stray showed up, and she, as the local vet, would take care of the “problem” for him.
Laura, his wife, was quick to say, “I called.” Defiant to Marty, she added, “Soon as I heard the poor thing, in fact.”
Which didn’t mean much. The animal might have been there for hours. Possibly more than a day, though Ivey couldn’t bear the thought of that.
“She’s pregnant, you know.” Refusing to take her eyes off the dog and unwilling to raise her voice since it might frighten the animal more, Ivey said, “If she took an egg, it would have been from starvation—and you already know I would have compensated you for it.”
Affronted, Marty grumbled, “I wasn’t worried about one egg, just don’t want to lose my chickens.” He cleared his throat. “If it helps any, I was out here this morning and she wasn’t caught then. Afternoon I watered my garden, and that’s why there’s so much mud. So I doubt she was hung up there more than a few hours.”
The fist around Ivey’s heart loosened just a little. “That helps tremendously, Marty. Thank you.”
More times than she could count, Ivey had taken on problems with stray animals who needed special love and care. It didn’t matter that she’d been working as a veterinarian for years now, seeing all manner of hurt, neglected or just plain ill animals. She still loved them all, and when one hurt, she hurt with it.
“No thanks necessary,” Marty complained, his tone gruff with insult. “Not like I’d let an animal suffer.”
Ivey had a feeling their definitions of suffer varied a bit, but she realized this mattered to him, and she was too grateful to quibble so she just nodded.
Almost got it,” Hope murmured, and with one last clip, the wire loosened. “There.” Fingers gentle, she disentangled the dog’s leg, exposing a painful wound.
Ivey murmured to the small animal all the while, cooing softly, petting and holding her secure. The second she was able to sit back on the muddy ground, she pulled the dog into her lap. With her face close to the top of the dog’s head, she whispered, “There now, that’s better, isn’t it? We’ll get you all fixed up, I promise.”
“Here.” Slipping off her zip-up hoodie, Hope offered it to Ivey to wrap around the dog. “Do you want me to get the carrier?”
Busy swaddling the dog, careful not to jar her, Ivey shook her head. “She doesn’t weigh more than ten or eleven pounds. I’ll carry her to the truck and we’ll see how it goes.” Feeling mud seep into the seat of her pants, she realized she couldn’t get up without letting go of the dog. Lifting a brow at Hope, she said, “A little help?”
“Oh sure.” Hope caught her under one elbow, and Laura hurried forward to take the other, giving her the leverage she needed.
Marty stepped back to avoid getting muddy.
Carefully, the two women got Ivey on her feet. The thick mud was heavy on the seat of her pants, dragging on her stretch jeans that had loosened throughout the day. At least her rubber boots wouldn’t be ruined. Since they treated all sorts of animals, including those on farms, she and Hope each kept a pair at the clinic.
“Let’s go.” Plodding forward, Ivey led the way to the truck. Halfway there, the dog started panting. Concerned, she hastened her step, not at all worried about getting mud on the truck seats. “No need for the crate. Just get us back to the clinic.”
Picking up on her angst, Hope ran around to the driver’s side and got the truck on the road in record time. “Everything okay?”
“Not really, no. Something’s wrong.”
“What should I do?”
Poor Hope. A sick cat had kept them an hour past closing, and then Marty had called… “I’m sorry.” Ivey barely took her gaze off the stressed dog. “Do you think you could assist me at the clinic?”
“Of course I will! You don’t even have to ask.” Frowning, Hope muttered, “Did you think I’d drop you off with a dog in distress? Tell you good luck?” She snorted. “Have I ever done that?”
She and Hope were close enough that Ivey knew she’d inadvertently insulted her. “No, you haven’t. But it’s Friday night after a very long day.”
“It’s Friday night for you, too, you know.”
“What a sad situation for us both.” Despite her worries, Ivey chuckled. “Most women would have plans, and yet we never do.”
“You have Geoff.”
Ivey made a face. “Lot of good that does me.” Likely Geoff was settled on the couch already, watching sports or playing a video game. The excitement had left their relationship a long time ago, so she doubted he’d even notice her absence.
For her part, Hope never dated. That bothered Ivey a lot, but she loved Hope enough that she would never pry.
Smiling at her friend, Ivey said, “I’m glad I won’t have to do this alone.”
“Not ever,” Hope vowed. “Even if by some miracle I ever do have something worthwhile lined up for the weekend, I’d still be here for you, okay?”
Her friendship with Hope meant so much more than any other relationship Ivey had, including her lackluster romance with Geoff. “Smartest thing I ever did was hire you.”
“I’m so glad you did,” Hope whispered. “Otherwise we might not have become friends, then where would I be?”
“Let’s just agree that we’re better off together.” Though Ivey was ten years older than Hope, they’d still hit it off from the start, meshing together as if they’d been lifelong friends. Where Ivey was take-charge and sometimes a little too outspoken, Hope was an intent listener with an enormous heart.
Ivey often wanted to challenge the world, and Hope, sadly, wanted to hide from it.
Or more accurate, she wanted to hide from any interested men.
Hope had an affinity with animals, plus a gentle but sure touch. She was never squeamish, but she exuded sympathy. Ivey valued her. The clients loved her. And the animals trusted her.
Unfortunately, they were still five minutes away from the clinic when the dog went into labor. “This is definitely happening,” Ivey said, doing what she could to make the animal comfortable.
Leaning closer to the steering wheel, Hope drove a little faster. “Be there soon.”
They’d barely gotten in the door when her water broke. Hope ran ahead to prepare an area, moving with practiced ease as she opened an already cleaned kennel and set up a whelping box, then filled it with bedding material. The box had three tall sides to contain the coming puppies, and one low side for the mother to step out for food and water.
Knowing Hope had it in hand, Ivey began cleaning the dog as quickly and efficiently as possible. She managed a cursory job, removing the worst of the mud, when Hope rejoined her. “We’re all set.”
“With luck we’ll have enough time to clean and wrap her leg before she gives birth.” Usually that happened within two hours after the animal’s water breaking, so they didn’t have a minute to spare.
A day that had already been long just turned entirely endless.
Fast-paced, uplifting and with lovable characters, this book was one of my favorites from this author. I really enjoyed the story of widowed Isabelle who has a big heart and takes in foster children. She needs a handyman around her ranch so she hires Mac, a man with a tragedy in his past that he can’t seem to let go. Getting to know these two main characters was a real pleasure, but I enjoyed even more getting to know the children. Katie was a real heart-tugger. I could just picture her gamine face and her adorable little smile each time she came on the scene. And baby Lily was a welcome addition to Isabelle’s growing family, just as she also captured my heart. The undercurrent on the ranch of constant danger to Lily and Isabelle had me wondering how it would all end. With a simple plot that turned more complex the more I delved into the story, this book was enjoyable and so heart warming that I just wanted it to never end. Fans of clean romance with suspense mixed in will love this book! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Lynette Eason lives in Simpsonville, SC with her husband and two children. She is an award-winning, best-selling author who spends her days writing when she’s not traveling around the country teaching at writing conferences. Lynette enjoys visits to the mountains, hanging out with family and brainstorming stories with her fellow writers. You can visit Lynette’s website to find out more at http://www.lynetteeason.com or like her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lynette.eason
Mac bolted from the truck just as the sun crested the horizon and spread light around the area. He raced around the side of the house to the back and skidded to a stop. The intruder the owner had mentioned had one foot inside the window and his gloved hands gripped the molding. Mac darted forward, placed his hands on the porch railing and vaulted over it. He landed on the wooden flooring with a thud and faced the frozen figure now half in and half out of the house. “Don’t do it, man,” Mac said. “Cops are on the way.”
His words seemed to send indecision sweeping through the guy. A pause Mac took advantage of. He lunged, grabbed two fistfuls of the hoodie material and pulled him away from the window. A heavy fist glanced off Mac’s cheek. He winced and jerked back, losing his grip. That gave the wiry figure the opening he needed, and he darted away from Mac to dash down the length of the porch, leap over the steps and head full-speed across the pasture. Mac pounded after him.
The guy broke through the tree line and disappeared into the woods. Mac did the same seconds later, only to stop when he realized he’d lost him. Mac turned, listening, his eyes searching. Finally, he heard the crunching of underbrush to his left and headed that way, hit a patch of mud and slid almost falling. He managed to catch his balance, but a second later, the roar of a motorcycle captured his attention. After one last push through tree limbs and vines, he found himself staring at the back of a disappearing bike. He didn’t know where the trail led, but there was no way he’d catch the guy on foot. With a sigh, he gave up the chase and retraced his steps.
When he came to the pasture beyond the tree line, he could see the woman who was, hopefully, his future boss. Isabelle Trent. She stood on the front porch, a little girl about five years old clutching Isabelle’s knee with one hand and a doll with her other. Isabelle cradled an infant in the crook of her right arm.
Dressed in jeans, boots and a long-sleeved red flannel shirt, she had her blond hair pulled into a messy ponytail. It struck him that she looked comfortable and completely in her element. If understandably shaken. Two police officers faced her. One wrote notes in a little black book while the other spoke into the radio on her shoulder. As Mac approached, Isabelle’s green eyes landed on him, and the officers turned. Mac made sure they could see his hands.
“That’s the man who came to the rescue,” Isabelle said.
What a delightful way to spend an afternoon! This book was a quick read, with an enjoyable look at small town life, including some very stubborn animals. Avery Hammons is a single mom of her ten year old daughter Quinn when Grayson Stone unexpectedly returns to town and wants to get to know Quinn. After all, he is her father. There were some really quirky and funny secondary characters that I enjoyed meeting in the pages of this book , but the main characters were ones that I was engaged with, rooting for them to learn how to trust again and to forgive each other. The anxiety faced by Avery, Grayson and even Quinn was realistically portrayed and made the story totally believable. There was the underlying faith element of the genre (Love Inspired Romance) as well as a spunky little girl who knows when to make demands and when to just step back and watch things unfold. I think that Quinn was my favorite character, next to the judge who is Grayson’s dad and who was involved in getting him back to town to begin with. The interactions between the characters made a fun read that entertained and uplifted. The genre is contemporary romance, featuring a second chance at love. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive book. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Other than having an unwed mother, the book is clean, so I would rate it PG.About the Author: Brenda Minton lives in the Ozarks. She’s a wife, mom to three, foster mom to five and grandma to a princess. Life is chaotic but she enjoys every minute of it with her family and a few too many dogs. When not writing she’s drinking coffee on the patio, wrangling kids or escaping for an evening out with her husband. Visit her online at www.brendaminton.net
I really enjoy a good romantic suspense book and when it’s a Love Inspired book, that is even better because faith becomes a focus of the characters as they work to resolve their problems. This is the second book in a series, but it is the first one that I have read by this author so I can attest to the fact that it can be read as a standalone. The main characters are Mara Castillo and Levi Duke. Levi has partnered with Mara’s brother Seth to purchase a failing ranch in the desert outside of Las Vegas. Furnace Falls is not a paradise by any means but Levi and Seth hope to turn the ranch around and raise horses. Unfortunately, before Seth can even arrive, he is seriously injured and in a coma, leaving Mara to fill in the gaps on the ranch. I really enjoyed how responsible Levi was, to Seth and to Mara and to his own obligations. I read intently as Mara’s character developed from one who was bitter about what she has had to give up into one who accepts things the way they are. The plot is complicated by the fact that Mara’s sister Corinne disappeared about five years earlier and now it seems that Mara has received a text from her. So, in addition to finding out what happened to Corinne, visiting her seriously injured brother in the hospital, dealing with her feelings for Levi and working on the ranch, Mara is trying to discover the secrets that seem to be threatening her life. There were surprising twists along the way to the end of the story and a lot of back-and-forth romance between Levi and Mara. The suspense never let up and the romance was a light one, in the background but always there. The animals were my absolute favorites of the story! There was Banjo the intuitive dog, a kitten named Tiny whom Banjo seems to adopt as his own and a Rabbit living under the porch. Plus, of course, there were lots of horses on the ranch. I enjoyed the story, the characters, the themes of family and persevering and the intrigue of a good mystery. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
A clean romantic suspense that can be read by all who enjoy a good mystery and a light romance.Four stars foragood book that left me wanting to know more about the characters and the storyPhoto from the author’s website at http://www.danamentik.com
About the Author
Dana Mentink is a national bestselling author. She has been honored to win two Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion, and a Reviewer’s Choice award. She’s authored more than thirty novels to date for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Harlequin Heartwarming. Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her at www.danamentink.com
Although this book is a part of a series, I have not read any of the other books and was able to thoroughly enjoy the story of Rosa and Wyatt as if it were a standalone. Rosa Galvez lives and works in the little beach town of Cannon Beach, managing the Brambleberry House apartments and running a little souvenir shop. She is totally content with her solitary life, letting into her heart her Irish setter Fiona. Then a new police officer needs a place to stay while his home is being repaired, so he takes at apartment at Brambleberry. Wyatt is recently widowed and has a young, precocious son names Logan. All of the characters were so realistically portrayed that I felt as though I could meet them on the street and instantly know who they were. I felt a great affinity for Rosa, a woman who has a lot of secrets in her past but who is determined to just hold them close and not let anyone touch her heart. Logan, however, could break a heart of stone and that is where Rosa begins to see that she needs to tell others about her past and let go of it. There is building suspense in this book which was unexpected for me since I was thinking this would be just a lighthearted romance. The romance was there, but the road to it was rocky and filled with intrigue. That kept me engaged and reading quickly so I could find out what Rosa’s secrets were and if she could overcome them in order to establish a lasting relationship with Wyatt. Two people with overwhelming hurts in their past discover love, so that was very heartwarming, if totally predictable. What was not predictable was all of the detours that they had to take to get to their happy ending. The plot was very well done, with some unexpected twists and even a sub-plot involving another tenant in the house, Jen and her daughter Addie. The multiple layers also added interest for me as I got to know more of the characters and felt empathy for them. The author did a masterful job of creating an engaging plot, characters with heart and soul, and an ending that wrapped everything up with a bow. Fans of romance will enjoy this journey to Cannon Beach! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including six RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and Career Achievement and Romance Pioneer awards from RT Book Reviews. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.
Now that the deed was done, Rosa was having second, third and fourth thoughts about Wyatt Townsend moving in downstairs.
Why had she ever thought this would work?
That evening as she pulled weeds in the backyard after leaving the store, she had to fight all her instincts that were urging her to call up Carrie right now and tell her she had made a mistake. The apartment was no longer available.
“There is no law against changing your mind, is there?” she asked out loud to Fiona, who was lying in the grass nearby, watching butterflies dance amid the climbing roses.
The dog gave her a curious look then turned back to her business, leaving Rosa to sigh. She yanked harder at a stubborn weed that had driven deep roots into the ground.
She would do nothing. She had given her word and could not back out now. Integrity, keeping her word, was important. She had learned that first from her own mother and then from her adopted parents.
Lauren and Daniel Galvez were two of the most honorable people she knew. They would never think of reneging on a promise and she couldn’t, either.
Yes, Wyatt made her extremely nervous. She did not want him moving in downstairs. But she had given her word to his sister. End of story.
Because of that, she would be gracious and welcoming to him and to his sweet son.
Thinking about Logan left her feeling a little bit better about the decision. He was a very adorable boy, with good manners and a ready smile.
It was not the boy’s fault that Wyatt made her so nervous.
She had almost talked herself into at least accepting the new status quo, when an SUV pulled up to the house a half hour later.
Fiona lifted her head to sniff the air, then rose and hurried over to the vehicle to greet the newcomers.
Rosa climbed to her feet a little more slowly, pulled off her gloves and swiped at her hair before she headed for the vehicle. She might be accepting of her new tenants, but summoning the same kind of enthusiasm her dog showed so readily would be a stretch.
When Rosa reached the vehicle, Logan was opening the back door and jumping to the ground, his little dog close behind.
Fiona barked a greeting, then leaned in to sniff the newcomer, tail wagging. The Townsends’ dog sniffed back, and a moment later, the two were circling each other with joy.
At least Fiona was happy to have them here.
“Hello, Logan,” Rosa said.
“Hi.” The boy beamed at her, showing off a gap in his teeth that she found adorable.
“Guess what?” he said. “We’re moving into your house! Dad says we can stay here until our house is done and I’ll have my own bedroom and won’t have to sleep in Aunt Carrie’s sewing room anymore.”
“This is so wonderful, no?” She smiled down at him, trying not to pay any attention to his father walking around the vehicle, looking big and serious and intimidating.
“What is the name of your dog?”
“This is Hank. Don’t worry. He’s nice.”
“I never doubted it for a minute,” she assured him. “Hello, Hank.”
She reached down to pet the dog, who responded by rolling over to have his belly scratched. Rosa loved him immediately.
“This is Fiona. She is also very nice.”
Logan grinned and petted Fiona’s long red coat.
Wouldn’t it be lovely if she only had to deal with the boy and the dog? Unfortunately, the boy had a father. She had to say something to Wyatt, at least. Bracing herself, she lifted her attention from the two dogs and the boy, and faced the man who always looked as if he could see through her skin and bones into her heart, and was not convinced he liked what he saw.
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This book was a good Amish story with lovable characters and a plot that had some surprises and unexpected twists in it. Lauren Nolt is a former member of the Amish community in Lancaster County where she is sent by her employer to win the people over to the idea of building a casino in their community. When her car breaks down during an ice story, Lauren is stuck asking for assistance from widower Adam Hershberger, a mechanic who used to bully her in their childhood. Lauren stays with her Aunt Sylvia, a feisty older Amish woman who speaks the truth in love to Lauren and who was my favorite character in the book. Her wisdom led Lauren to many hours of thoughtful reflection. When Lauren meets Adam’s precocious daughter Mary Beth, it was life love at first sight. Mary Beth is a cute little matchmaker who wants her dad to have a new wife and for herself to have a new mother. Although parts of the book were predictable, there were numerous secrets revealed and some surprises, too, so it was was a really captivating read. I was totally invested in the story of Lauren and Adam and rooting for little Mary Beth to get her way with them. This is a great first book in a new series and I look forward to more! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Totally clean Christian fiction from Harlequin Love Inspired.Photo and biography from author’s website http://www.joannbrownbooks.com
I loved this romantic story and hope that you will buy it and read it for yourselves. Many thanks to Harlequin for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 