Guarding the Amish Midwife (Amish Country Justice #6) by Dana R. Lynn

Title: Guarding the Amish Midwife (Amish Country Justice #6)

Author: Dana R. Lynn

Pages: 224

Release Date: June 1, 2019

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     An Amish witness to murder.

     Another riveting Amish Country Justice book.

     On the way to deliver a baby, Amish midwife Lizzy Miller witnesses her driver’s murder—and now someone plans to silence her. Lizzy knows better than to trust strangers, but she must depend on former Amish turned Englisch police officer Isaac Yoder. And there’s nowhere safe to hide… unless Isaac reconnects with the Amish community he left behind to protect the woman he’s falling for.

My review:

     This is an incredible romantic suspense novel!

     I love the development of both of the main characters in this story. They have each had very difficult circumstances in their pasts that have shaped who they are. Lizzy was a victim in a very frightening attack a few years before this book opens. She still struggles with many fears because of it. Isaac lost his brother in a violent attack and made life changing choices as a result. The memory of that event still drives him. I was amazed at how strong Lizzy was in this new situation after what she had already been through.

     The plot was fantastic! It kept me on the edge of my seat. I was totally invested in the outcome. 

     I talked to Isaac a lot during the second half of the book. He seemed a little dense to me and I knew what he needed to do long before he figured it out. He just didn’t want to listen to me. I get so frustrated with characters that don’t listen to me.

     I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and 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 Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

On a Summer Tide (Three Sisters Island #1) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Title: On a Summer Tide (Three Sisters Island #1)

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Pages: 308

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Revell

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Sometimes love hurts—and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way.

     Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam’s mantra. But there’s a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on . . . and one who keeps moving.

     Cam’s full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island—a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam’s surprise, the slow pace of the island appeals to her, along with the locals—and one in particular. Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises.

     With On a Summer Tide, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher begins a brand-new contemporary romance series that is sure to delight her fans and draw new ones.

My review:

     This is an incredible look at bonds between sisters.

     The characters in this book are fantastic. They are all incredibly well developed and as varied as you will find in any group of people that you find in your own life. A number of the residents on Three Sisters Island when the Grayson family arrive have very differing quirks that kept me smiling at their antics.

     As the story progresses we quickly find that the three sisters are so set in their own way of living that they each believe that they have all the answers as to how things should be handled. This naturally has created huge rifts between them. I thoroughly enjoyed following their interactions and seeing how they grew and learned to build bridges back together.

     At the same time all of the Graysons are having to figure out how to be accepted by the islanders who don’t like outsiders. The problems that they encounter added another layer of interest for me.

     I love this book and have to give it a rating of 5 stars. I am highly recommending it. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of this series when they come out.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and 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 Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Moments We Forget (Thatcher Sisters #2) by Beth K. Vogt + A GIVEAWAY

About the Book

Book: Moments We Forget  

Author: Beth Vogt  

Genre: Contemporary fiction, woman’s fiction  

Release Date: May 7, 2019

Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine. Now, Jillian’s on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she’d hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again. Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be “just Jillian,” the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Review

This is an incredible Woman’s Fiction book.

I enjoyed getting back into the story of Jillian, Payton, and Johanna. In this second book Jillian is the main focus. I am amazed at how well the author is able to present all the different dynamics of this family. Each of the sisters are still working through their own emotional issues. But at the same time they are trying to figure out how to be better sisters with each other.

The depth of these characters is great. The intricacies of their problems and the journeys they are taking to work through them definitely kept my interest. I look forward to seeing what comes next for these women.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A women’s fiction novelist, Beth’s first novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018.

Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. A November Bride was part of the Year of Wedding series by Zondervan. Having authored nine contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us.

An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and also enjoys speaking to writers’ groups and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories. Connect with Beth at  bethvogt.com.

More from Beth

“A sister is like yourself in a different movie, a movie that stars you in a different life.”

Deborah Tannen (1945-), sociologist

I’m launching Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters series, and I’ve just turned in the final book in the series. I’d love to share book three’s title with you, but I don’t know what it is. (Of course, book three might have a final title by the time you read this—that’s part of the fun of prerelease deadlines.)

One thing I do know: the theme of “Little Women gone wrong” is woven through all of the books . . . thanks to the Thatcher sisters: Payton, Pepper, Jillian, and Johanna.

Sisters, be they real or imaginary, can be complicated.

Of course, there are sisters who have close relationships. They “get” each other and love doing life together.

But then there are the sister relationships that are like mismatched socks. Or those expensive jeans you loved in the store, but when you bring them home, they never quite live up to those moments in the dressing room.

Such are the Thatcher sisters. Johanna, Jillian, Payton, and Pepper grew up in the same family. They’re all tall. They love Broncos football and board games. But in so many ways their lives are like different movies because they each made different choices. Choices that changed and separated them. Moments We Forget continues to explore whether the Thatcher sisters can find a way to understand each other enough to bridge the distance between them.

Blog Stops

Livin’ Lit, May 7

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 7

The Power of Words, May 7

Among the Reads, May 8

Carpe Diem, May 8

Quiet Quilter, May 8

Wishful Endings, May 9

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 9

Simple Harvest Reads, May 10 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Remembrancy, May 10

God’s Little Bookworm, May 11

Just the Write Escape, May 11

Spoken from the Heart, May 12

Splashes of Joy, May 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 12

Through the Fire Blogs, May 13

Genesis 5020, May 13

By The Book, May 13

Bigreadersite, May 14

A Baker’s Perspective, May 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 14

Pause for Tales, May 15

Moments, May 15

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, May 15

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 16

Texas Book-aholic, May 16

janicesbookreviews, May 17

Living Life Free in Christ, May 17

To Everything A Season, May 17

Real World Bible Study, May 18

Older & Smarter?, May 18

A Reader’s Brain, May 18

Inklings and notions, May 19

Hallie Reads, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 19

Godly Book Reviews, May 20

The Becca Files, May 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 20

Giveaway

 

To celebrate her tour, Beth is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card plus a softcover copy of Moments We Forget!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! 

Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e26d/moments-we-forget-celebration-tour-giveaway

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and 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 Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Heart of a King: The Loves of Solomon by Jill Eileen Smith

Title: The Heart of a King: The Loves of Solomon

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Pages: 417

Release Date: April 30, 2019 

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Get swept away by a story of love, loss, and longing.

     King Solomon could—and did—have anything he wanted, including many women from many lands. But for all of his wealth and wisdom, did he or the women he loved ever find what they were searching for?

     In this engrossing novel, find yourself whisked away to ancient Israel, where you’ll meet four remarkable women: Naamah the desert princess, Abishag the shepherdess, Siti the daughter of a pharaoh, and Nicaula the queen of Sheba. As you experience the world of Solomon through his eyes and theirs, you’ll grapple with whether this king’s storied wisdom ultimately benefited him and those he loved . . . or betrayed them.

My review:

     This is an incredibly well developed Biblical novel!

     Of the five main characters in this book the only one that we know very much about from the bible is Solomon. We have bits and pieces about the four women in this story. I found the way that the author presented them to be very plausible and the story held my attention.

     I had never given much thought as to how it might have come about for Solomon to have married so many women. This book has definitely given me much to think about as to this king with amazing God-given wisdom. He was called to be a King of Peace. Yet as a mere man I’m sure he would have struggled with trying to fulfill that.

     I thoroughly enjoyed the look at what it would have been like for Solomon’s first wife. Human nature would have her wanting to keep him to herself. Yet that was not how her life and marriage played out. It had to have been extremely hard for her each time he married another woman and she knew she would have even less time with him.

     I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5-stars. I am definitely recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and 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 Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*