Matched and Married (Amish Mail-Order Bride #2) by Kathleen Fuller

 

Margaret Yoder is sent to visit her Aunt in another town because her mother has heard through the grapevine that there are more eligible men than women in that town.  Margaret's mother is determined to get Margaret married and gone so she won't have to worry about her.  Margaret really isn't in the market but she will do anything to get away from her mother's stifling presence.  She loves it at her Aunt's and goes about enjoying family and friends.  Margaret meets up with Ezra Bontrager almost immediately and they both assure each other they are not in the market so they determine they will be friends and enjoy each others company since they have common interests.  Predictably they both fall for each other but think the other one still isn't serious.  Much angst and soul-searching occur before it is all resolved.  This was a fun book with delightful characters.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson

 

William Snopes is a barrister in Regency London. He reluctantly takes the case of Lady Malissa Jameson,who has made some investments that are being threatened by dishonest players. There is lots of delicious historical information here as well as some genuine "who dunnit aspects". There are lots of twists and turns and hold your breath moments -- action in abundance. I love the characters and I love how this turned out. I'd love to hear more about these folks in a future work.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

Sustaining Faith (When Hope Calls #2) by Janette Oke, Laurel Oke Logan

 

In this historical tale, Grace and Lillian are sisters who are running a placement home for children that are brought by ship from Europe for adoption in Canada.  I had read some Janette Oke books thirty years or so ago and had stopped because I felt they were just simple cookie cutter stories.  But obviously Janette Oke has perfected her craft over the years.  This was a page turner.  I have a feeling there will be another book with these characters later and if so, I am looking forward to reading it.  The characters were interesting and the setting was rich in history and I felt the period was well researched.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

Summer by the Sea by Jenny Hale

 

Faith and her grandmother, mother, sister Casey and niece come back to the Outer Banks for a summer get together to celebrate the grandmother's 80th birthday in a place where they used to gather every summer for some fun at the beach.   Jake Buchanan is a local business owner who owns the beach house they are renting.  Faith finds instant rapport with him but meanwhile the family has some processing to do about past hurts and current hurts.  It's a great story and more than just a "romance," it's an in depth study into family dynamics.  I loved it!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

Never Miss by Melissa Koslin

 

Kadance Tolle is a former CIA Assassin, running from her family of assassins because she does not like their ethics.  She comes across Lyndon Vaile, a medical researcher who is studying the Ebola virus and has people trying to kill him.  She determines to help him and protect him and the more they find out about the people chasing them, the more involved they get in trying to save the country from a major outbreak and also stop the perpetrators.  This is a fast-paced, intriguing story and parallels current events in some ways.  I couldn't put it down.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

Second Chance Christmas: A Novel (Twilight, Texas #12) by Lori Wilde

 This was a great book.  I enjoyed every bit of it.  Joel and Jana are out doing one of their civic duties on Christmas Eve and they find a live baby in the manger in front of the church.  There is a note with the baby asking them to take care of the baby until New Years.  Jana and Joel and good friends but Jana works for Joel some during the Christmas season and also has her own business.  Jana is a tough girl that came up from a rough background and she is into self preservation more than anything but she is also very fond of Joel.  Joel is a businessman in town but also has great affection for Jana.  They decide to take care of the baby through the holiday season and they bond more and more over the baby.  This is a great story and will make your holiday reading fun and interesting.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand

 This is the story of Anna Yoder who couldn't cook but was beloved of her father and brothers, whom she had helped raise and her love for Felty Helmuth, a Korean War veteran, who was not highly regarded in their passivist Amish community.  It starts out when they are in their 80s and playing matchmaker for their grandchildren but the story goes back to 1952 when they fell in love and got married.  It is a very fun Amish tale and I understand it is part of a series called: Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill.  You don't want to miss this one!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

The Christmas House: A Novel by Victoria James

 Ruby Harris had a rough start in life but ended up inheriting the Christmas House which she turned into a successful Bed & Breakfast that was especially enjoyed at the Christmas Season.  Charlotte, her granddaughter comes for Christmas and meets the next door neighbor Wyatt who she recognizes as her childhood crush that disappeared one day without explanation.  This is a generational story of Ruby, her daughter Wendy and her two granddaughters Charlotte and Olivia all of whom show up for this particular Christmas.  This is a heartwarming story full of painful pasts, extenuating circumstances, and family love.  Don't miss this one!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher

 

Chelsea Spencer goes to Chickadee Creek to help her great aunt Rosemary with her antique shop while her Aunt recovers.  Liam Chandler is a local homeowner who is a Hollywood star that is contemplating his future and hiding out from his agent who wants him to sign for a blockbuster movie that is trying to recruit him.  Chelsea and Liam become interested in Liam's family history in the town and especially in an old violin that was found in the shop and belonged to Liam's great-great grandmother.  This is a charming story and involves family dynamics in both Chelsea's family and Liam's family. and values and integrity.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

All Night Long with a Cowboy (Kittredge Ranch #2) by Caitlin Crews

 

This is a funny book.  It almost seems stereotypical and a tad bit impossible but it is so much fun.  I would recommend this book to anyone who would like an enjoyable read.  Jensen Kittredge is a local cowboy/playboy who is just trying to slouch through life pretending nothing matters.  Harriett Barnett is a local librarian who thinks things matter a great deal and she is determined to rope Jensen into helping her with a difficult student.  It is funny, heartwarming and all comes to a good end.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese

 

Molly McKenzie is a Social Media star / blogger and has quite the following on Social Media.  Her manager/ boyfriend wants her to do some public service work to attract a sponsor that is interested in such.  So she gets her pastor brother to recommend her to Silas Whittaker who runs a halfway house for people that have aged out of foster care.  She soon finds her passion for the cause and her loyalty to Silas transcend the stardom and fame.  She is more interested in the mission at hand.

I loved this book. It is contemporary and fresh and deals with cultural issues of our times.  It was also a really fun story.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

Love and the Silver Lining (State of Grace #2) by Tammy L. Gray

 Darcy finds herself at a loss when here one year mission trip to Guatemala is abruptly cancelled, leaving her without a place to stay or a job.  She falls back on her friendship with her best friend Cameron and gets involved with Bryson, Cameron's partner in his band.  She falls back on her love of training dogs and Bryson has a place for her to do that and a spot to live -- rooming with his sister.  This all works out well for Darcy but Cameron isn't OK with it all and Bryson is hard to read.  It makes for an interesting and moving story.  Well worth the read!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

Christmas at the Amish Bakeshop by Shelley Shepard Gray, Rachel J. Good, and Loree Lough

 

This is three Amish love stories by three different authors but all feature the Bakeshop in the title in each story.  It was a unique take on the subject and I enjoyed it for that reason and also because all of these authors write fun stories.  If you want some light reading that you can complete in 3 sittings and you like Christmas stories, this book is for you.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

Between the Wild Branches (The Covenant House #2) by Connilyn Cossette

 

This book picks up where the last one in the series left off but the children are grown up now and caught in their own destinies.  This book is so well written and inciteful and I can't recommend it enough.  I love historicals that really give you a feeling for the time, place and culture.  This fulfills all of that along with some good moral insight and family dynamics.  This is one of my favorite books so far this year.  I will always pick a new book by Connilyn Cossette to add to my reading list.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.