The Best of Intentions (Canadian Crossings #1) by Susan Anne Mason

Title: The Best of Intentions (Canadian Crossings #1)

Author: Susan Anne Mason

Pages: 352

Release Date: July 3, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy from the author and the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     In the aftermath of WWI, Grace Abernathy is determined to reunite with her family, crossing an ocean to convince her widowed sister to return home to England. Yet Toronto holds more tragedy and her nephew Christian is now in the custody of his paternal relatives, the formidable Easton family, who rejected Grace’s sister because of her low social status.

     Unconvinced the Eastons can be fitting caretakers, Grace jumps at the chance to be Christian’s nanny and observe the family up close under an assumed name. In the course of her new position, she is shocked to discover herself falling for Andrew Easton, the boy’s guardian. Unfortunately, Andrew is promised to a spoiled socialite who will make a terrible stepmother for Christian. Will Grace be able to protect her nephew . . . and her heart?

My review:

     This is an absolutely incredible historical romance!

     I love all of the main characters in this book. Though I was truly annoyed with Mr. Easton’s overbearing and demanding personality. I also wanted to slap Celilia silly because she was such a spoiled brat. All good stories need conflict and these two provided plenty of it.

     I was delighted with both Grace and Virginia. They are both charming women and I wanted each of them to marry for love. They had plenty of obstacles to overcome before that would be possible.

     The one character that I was the most impressed with was Reverend Burke. He was so calm and not judgmental. He was supportive and a good listener. He simply asked questions and then allowed those he was speaking with to think things through for themselves.

     Most of the characters grew and matured throughout the story. They learned how to look to God for guidance and trust Him.

     I find myself compelled to give this wonderful story a rating of 5 stars. I am definitely highly recommending it. I don’t think that anyone who enjoys historical romances can go wrong in spending some of their free time reading this book.

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.*

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber

Title: Merry and Bright

Author: Debbie Macomber

Pages: 288

Year: 2017

Genre: Christmas Romance

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Format: eBook (also available in hardcover and paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her - minus her photo - and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

     Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakable kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

My review:

     This is a charming contemporary holiday romance!

     I love the main characters and the very differing views of the Christmas season that they have. Their names are fantastic for fitting into the the story itself. In fact I think that they are inspired. I don’t know which came first the idea for the story or the idea for the title of this book. I do know that they are perfect.

     I adore Merry and the way that she relates with her family and others around her. I would love to be able to consider her a friend. At the same time I can understand all of Jayson’s negative opinions of the holidays. He’s had a difficult family life that has totally colored the season for him.

     I was enchanted with the way that their relationship developed through the course of this book. As with just about all romances they needed some help from others and I can’t think of any better helper than Patrick.

     I am definitely giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars and highly 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.*

The Quilter's Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts #1) by Jennifer Chiaverini

Title: The Quilter’s Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts #1)

Author: Jennifer Chiaverini

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Listening Length: 8 hours and 40 minutes

Year: 2004

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Publisher: Recorded Books

Format: Audio Book

About the book:

     After moving with her husband, Matt, to the small college town of Waterford, Pennsylvania, Sarah McClure struggles to find a fulfilling job. In the meantime, she agrees to help seventy-five-year-old Sylvia Compson prepare her family estate, Elm Creek Manor, for sale. As part of her compensation, Sarah is taught how to quilt by this cantankerous elderly woman, who is a master of the craft. During their lessons, Mrs. Compson reveals how her family was torn apart by tragedy, jealousy, and betrayal, and her stories force Sarah to face uncomfortable truths about her own alienation from her widowed mother. As their friendship deepens, Mrs. Compson confides in Sarah the truth about why she wants to sell Elm Creek Manor. In turn, Sarah seeks a way to bring life and joy back to the estate so Mrs. Compson can keep her home — and Sarah can keep her cherished friend. The Quilter’s Apprentice teaches deep lessons about family, friendship, and sisterhood, and about creating a life as you would a quilt: with time, love, and patience, piecing the miscellaneous and mismatched scraps into a beautiful whole.

My review:

     This is a delightful women’s novel!

     There is a large cast of very well developed characters. I loved meeting Sarah, Matt, and Sylvia. They are the main characters that are central and the rest of the cast fills in around them. I found it very interesting to see how they met and their friendship developed over the course of the story.

     Sylvia is a master quilter and it was fascinating for me to read all the details about how a quilt is made. The descriptions of the different quilt blocks captivated me. I have never tried quilting but I love looking at quilts.

     I loved the narrator for this audio book. She did a marvelous job of changing her voice for the different characters. It made it very easy to keep listening and losing myself in the story.

    I have to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I am definitely highly recommending it.

Amish Country Ambush (Amish Country Justice #4) by Dana R. Lynn

Title: Amish Country Ambush (Amish Country Justice #4)

Author: Dana R. Lynn

Pages: 224

Release Date: August 7, 2018

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 have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Hidden in Plain Sight

     An Amish Country Justice story.

     After police dispatcher Elise St. Clair’s home is invaded by her murderous brother-in-law, her nephew is hidden in Amish Country by her cleaning lady. Now relying on police officer Ryan Parker is Elise’s only hope of reuniting with the child…and evading the killer. And Elise and Ryan quickly discover their temporary partnership has long-term potential—if they can stay alive.

My review:

     This is an incredible adrenaline rush romantic suspense novel!

     I love the main characters in this book. They are very well developed and it was easy for me to understand where they were coming from. Both Elise and Ryan have problems from their pasts that they have to deal with on a regular basis. That is what defines them and their commitment to following through in taking care of others. They are thrust together by circumstances and they learn to trust each other as they reveal their pasts.

     The plot of the story is great. It has many twists and turns that kept me guessing. It was fascinating to see who all was involved in the attack at Elise’s house. It was interesting to see what the motivation was for the bad guys.

     I am giving this wonderful story a rating of 5 stars. I am highly 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.*

The Captured Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #3) by Michelle Griep

Title: The Captured Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #3)

Author: Michelle Griep

Pages: 256

Release Date: June 1, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in Paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     A War-Torn Countryside Is No Place For A Lady

     Mercy Lytton is a lady like none other. Raised amongst the Mohawks, she straddles two cultures, yet each are united in one cause. . .to defeat the French. Born with a rare gift of unusually keen eyesight, she is chosen as a scout to accompany a team of men on a dangerous mission. Yet it is not her life that is threatened. It is her heart. Condemned as a traitor, Elias Dubois faces the gallows. At the last minute, he is offered his freedom if he consents to accompany a stolen shipment of French gold to a nearby fort—but he is the only they stole it from in the first place. It turns out that the real thief is the beguiling woman, Mercy Lytton, for she steals his every waking thought. Can love survive divided loyalties in a backcountry wilderness?

My review:

     This is a fantastic historical romance!

     The characters are incredibly well developed and easy to connect with. This is true of many of them, not just the two main ones. Both Mercy and Elias has deep seated wounds from their pasts. They were shaped by things they were told by family members raising them, just as we all are. The journeys there are on are shaped by those wounds and will hopefully bring them healing.

     The action and adventure is fabulous. They face many dangers that require them to work together to survive. At first they are so at odds with each other that their ability to do so is really in question. They discover strengths and weaknesses that they didn’t know they had. There are also strong believers in God that are working with them. They step up and and help point them to Him.

     I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars and highly 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.*

The Blessing (The Amish Cooking Class #2) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Title: The Blessing (The Amish Cooking Class #2)

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Pages: 319

Year:  2017

Genre: Amish Fiction

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in Paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Despite stressful changes occurring in their lives, Lyle and Heidi once again open their Ohio home up to those seeking to learn about Amish cooking. This time a teenager helping her divorced dad cook for the family, a caterer needing new recipes, a food critic, a hunter looking to impress his buddies, a wife given the class as an unwanted gift, and a mailman lured in by the aroma of good cooking gather around Heidi’s table.

     During each class, Heidi teaches culinary skills, but it is her words of wisdom that have a profound effect on her students—though, this time Heidi’s own hurting heart will need some healing nourishment.

My review:

     This is an incredible Amish novel!

     I loved getting to visit with Heidi and Lyle Troyer again. I thoroughly enjoy this couple because they have a strong marriage in which they support and encourage each other. Their marriage is the strong foundation for how the interact with the students in Heidi’s cooking class.

     The new batch of students is varied and very entertaining to get to know. Each one has their own set of problems to work through over the course of the six classes. Even while she is trying to encourage her students Heidi herself is dealing with personal heartbreak.

     I loved the appearances of Kendra and some of the other people who were in the first set of classes Heidi held. Their lives have progressed and it is a lot of fun to check in on them.

     This delightful story is getting a 5 star rating from me. I am highly 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.*